Feel Good Story: Tomball ISD Celebrates the Joy of Reading During Annual Tomball Reads Week

Feel Good Story: Tomball ISD Celebrates the Joy of Reading During Annual Tomball Reads Week

Tomball ISD campuses, classrooms, libraries and hallways came alive with stories, imagination and a shared love of books during the District’s annual Tomball Reads Week — a celebration designed to inspire students of all ages to become lifelong readers.

From Pre-K through high school, campuses participate in themed dress days, guest reader visits, book talks and special library events that highlight the power of literacy both inside and outside the classroom.

“Tomball Reads Week is a district-wide literacy celebration designed to promote a love of reading across all grade levels,” said Tomball ISD Coordinator for K-12 Social Studies and Library Services Alison Reed. 

The tradition began nearly a decade ago with a simple but powerful conversation.

Nine years ago, Mandy Watson, librarian at Decker Prairie Elementary, was preparing students for a Read Across America celebration when a student questioned whether dressing up in crazy socks would actually make him enjoy reading more. The student shared that reading didn’t feel important to him because he hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a sanitation worker.

“That conversation really stuck with me,” Watson said. “He was right — dressing up is fun, but it doesn’t always show the importance of reading.”

Soon after, Watson connected with community members through the Tomball Chamber of Commerce, including sanitation workers and other professionals, who volunteered to visit the school and read with students. The experience helped students see how reading plays an important role in every career and in everyday life.

“The event had a huge impact not only on the students, but also on the guest readers and teachers,” Watson said. “It was a perfect collaboration showing the joy and importance of reading.”

After sharing the success of the program with Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora and fellow district librarians, the idea expanded into what is now known as Tomball Reads Week.

“Tomball employees and community members love being a part of this tradition because they work here to serve our community and our kids,” Watson said. “When Dr. Z reads to students, she always reminds them that ‘readers become leaders.’”

Libraries across the district play a central role in cultivating that love of reading year-round.

“Libraries and librarians foster lifelong readers and learners by providing equitable access to a variety of materials that meet community needs, nurturing a love of reading through personalized programming and expert selection guidance, and transforming reading into a fun social activity through celebrations like Tomball Reads Week,” said Gretchen Hock, librarian at Creekside Forest Elementary.

A highlight of the week for many students is the opportunity to hear from guest readers — including high school students, district leaders, staff members and community partners.

“Guest readers show students that reading matters beyond the classroom and makes learning engaging and relevant,” said Beverliann Schaffer, librarian at West Elementary. “They support early literacy and vocabulary development, expand students’ learning experiences and provide opportunities to practice respectful social skills when interacting with district leaders and community members.”

Another special element of Tomball Reads Week is the involvement of the broader school community. High school student-athletes, student organization leaders and campus groups visit elementary and intermediate schools to read with younger students, serving as role models and reinforcing the message that reading is important at every stage of life.

Seeing older students take time to share a favorite book often leaves a lasting impression on younger readers and helps strengthen connections across campuses.

“These moments are powerful for our students,” Schaffer said. “When younger students see high school leaders and athletes reading to them, it shows that reading is something everyone values and enjoys.”

Behind the scenes, the success of Tomball Reads Week is the result of strong collaboration among librarians, teachers and campus leaders across the district.

“Librarians, teachers and campus leaders work together to make Tomball Reads Week a success,” said Sara Melson, librarian at Tomball Intermediate School. “While librarians are the driving force behind the activities planned, teachers support by encouraging participation and modeling excitement. They also take time out of their schedules to host guest readers. Campus leaders help support Tomball Reads Week by promoting the events through announcements and newsletters and by encouraging community engagement.”

This teamwork creates a shared celebration of reading that reaches every corner of each campus.

Ultimately, the goal is to help students see reading not just as a school requirement, but as a lifelong opportunity.

“A week dedicated to highlighting reading adds meaningful value by fostering a school-wide culture that celebrates literacy,” said Jill Walker, librarian at West Intermediate. “It not only encourages students to develop a genuine love of reading, but also engages staff in modeling positive reading habits. By creating shared experiences around books and storytelling, the initiative helps build community, support academic growth and inspire readers of all ages to see themselves as confident, curious learners.”

As Tomball ISD continues to grow, Tomball Reads Week remains a beloved tradition — one that reminds students, families and the community that the simple act of opening a book can open the door to endless possibilities.