A little before Christmas break, preschoolers at Minot Forest Elementary received the gift of reading from their third and fourth grade compatriots.

All 87 preschoolers received a bag that contained at least five books from students in Minot Forest Elementary teacher Michael Houdlette’s MVP – Minot Values and Pride – group, which began last year to “promote positive values and improve the lives of families in Wareham.” The students organized a book drive, called, “Book Buddies,” through which they received donations of more than 300 books from their fellow schoolmates and teachers.

“We thought the best present we could give them is books for them to read, and books for their families to keep, instead of just having books at school,” Houdlette said.

The books were either gently used, or like new, and th students were practically glowing, when they gave the preschoolers their books, Houdlette said.

“They loved helping out, and wanted to look for little brothers and sisters of their friends, so they could hand the books to them personally,” Houdlette said. “They spent a lot of time decorating the bags.”

“Last year, we did a fundraiser for Turning Point, and put out a pamphlet of free stuff in Wareham for families to do,” Houdlette said.

The group will also be doing a fundraiser for Turning Point again this year. The fundraiser, called, “Minot Has Heart,” started Monday. The students will collect spare change until Valentine’s Day. For more information, contact Michael Houdlette at mhoudlette@wareham.k12.ma.us.