MARTINSVILLE, VA – For five years, Virginia Reads One Book (VAROB) has been a staple at Patrick Henry Elementary School. Having first discovered the program through a Facebook post, staff were thrilled to find an opportunity to bring their entire school community together around a shared reading experience. Patrick Henry Elementary has also been able to partner with their local bank, Carter Bank, nurturing the relationship year after year.
“From the beginning, we hoped VAROB would help us strengthen family engagement, build excitement around reading, and create meaningful conversations that extend beyond the classroom and into students’ homes,” says Ashley Taylor, Instructional Coordinator at Patrick Henry Elementary School. “One of the things we love most about the program is that every student receives a copy of the same book and families follow a nightly read-aloud schedule, which really helps create a true community of readers.”
For VAROB 2026, Patrick Henry Elementary joined schools across the state of Virginia reading the beloved classic, Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White.
Taylor and her staff work hard to make VAROB feel like more than just a reading assignment. Each year, their VAROB program kicks off with a countdown video, complete with a performance of the skit provided in the VAROB materials. (See above!) Excitement throughout the school was further stoked with daily trivia and classroom discussions that connected to the story’s characters, themes, and setting. Further, Charlotte’s Web was brought to life with special school-wide experiences like dress-up days and even a farm animal visit for the K-2 students!
“Staff helped keep the momentum going by talking about the story with students, celebrating reading at school, and encouraging families to stay on pace with the reading schedule,” Taylor shares. “Carter Bank graciously donated piggy banks and financial literacy activities for each child. The combination of school-wide fun and home connection kept the energy going throughout the program.”
Taylor remarks that it was especially meaningful to watch families engage with the book together, and to hear how the shared reading time created conversations at home.
“One of our families told their child’s teacher, ‘Reading Charlotte’s Web together as a family and there being an incentive on your end really allowed us to revive our family time in the evening. I’m sad the whole thing is done, but we hope to continue reading together. We picked out a new book last night,'” Taylor says. She continues with, “Those shared moments are what made the [VAROB] experience so special!”
This year, a new suite of digital resources were introduced for families. The Beyond-the-Book Nook provided students and families with 15 days of bonus activities, along with an Educator Discussion Board for teachers to connect with each other over the course of their program. Taylor found that these resources “aligned really well” with her school’s goal of making reading aloud both fun and meaningful.
“The Beyond-the-Book Nook helped our families continue the experience beyond simply reading each night’s chapter,” Taylor shares. “Families used those resources to extend conversations, complete fun activities together, and make stronger connections to the book at home. It gave families easy ways to engage with the story, even if they weren’t sure where to start. That extra support helped make the program feel more interactive and gave families practical tools to turn reading into quality time together rather than just another school task.”
Over the five years that Patrick Henry Elementary has participated in VAROB, the program’s impact has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It has created enthusiasm around reading,” Taylor says. “It encouraged family involvement, and gave us a joyful shared experience as a school community. It gave families a structured opportunity to read together at home, which is so valuable. More than anything, VAROB helped create a sense of connection across grade levels, through one meaningful literacy program.”
When looking ahead to future events, Taylor shares that she and her staff can’t wait to build on existing excitement and the community created by VAROB.
“Now that we have seen how powerful it is for students and families to share a reading experience, we are excited about finding even more creative ways to connect literacy, family engagement, and community partnerships in future events,” Taylor says. “We [are looking] forward to making each year’s experience even more memorable for our students!”
A special thank you to Ashley Taylor for taking the time to share her VAROB story. If you and your school have a VAROB experience you’d like to share, please tell us about it in the comments. Happy reading!
