INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – On Wednesday, April 16, community leaders across Indian River County will step into classrooms to share a special story with young learners. The event, called Storybook Village, is part of Children’s Week Florida, which runs from April 13 to April 18, 2025.
Organized by the School District of Indian River County and the Children’s Services Advisory Committee (CSAC), Storybook Village aims to spark a love for reading and show kids that their community supports them.
During the event, elected officials, county administrators, librarians, and nonprofit leaders will visit more than 20 Pre-K classrooms at seven elementary schools.
They will read The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach to students, a book about a butterfly’s journey that teaches resilience and determination. The message aligns with the county’s goal of encouraging early literacy, with the slogan “today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders.”
“Our children deserve to know that their community believes in them,” said Megan Kendrick, Indian River County’s Human Services Manager. “By showing up with a book in hand, these leaders are sending a powerful message: you matter, and we are invested in your success.”
The schools hosting Storybook Village include Beachland, Dodgertown, Fellsmere, Glendale, Pelican Island, Sebastian, and Vero Beach Elementary, plus Indian River Academy.
Reading sessions are scheduled throughout the day, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Pelican Island Elementary and wrapping up at 2:00 p.m. at Beachland Elementary. Leaders like County Commissioners Susan Adams and Laura Moss, Librarian Patti Fuchs, and Utilities Director Sean Lieske are among those participating.
For example, at Dodgertown Elementary at 10:20 a.m., Commissioners Joe Earman and Joe Flescher will join County Administrator John Titkanich to read to students. Meanwhile, at Fellsmere Elementary at 10:00 a.m., Commissioner Susan Adams and Librarian Patti Fuchs will share the story with Pre-K classes.
Storybook Village 2025 Reading Schedule
Beachland Elementary (2:00 PM)
- Nancy Bunt, Assistant County Administrator, Indian River County
Dodgertown Elementary (10:20 AM)
- Joe Earman, Commissioner District 3, Indian River County
- Joe Flescher, Commissioner District 2, Indian River County
- John Titkanich, County Administrator, Indian River County
- Jennifer Shuler, County Attorney, Indian River County
Fellsmere Elementary (10:00 AM)
- Susan Adams, Commissioner District 1, Indian River County
- Amber Cerda, CSAC Member
- Patti Fuchs, Librarian, Indian River County
Glendale Elementary (1:15 PM)
- Kyra Schafte, Director of System Improvement and Innovation, SDIRC
- Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director, Indian River County
Pelican Island Elementary (9:30 AM)
- Laura Moss, Commissioner District 5, Indian River County
- Bob Schlitt, CSAC Member
- Sara Wappes, Lagoon Environmental Specialist, Indian River County
- Ashley Hammond, Ombudsman, Indian River County
- Rebeca Guerra, Environmental Planning Manager, Indian River County
Sebastian Elementary (12:30 PM)
- Marie Ramkissoon, Office Administrator to County Administration, Indian River County
- Chris Balter, Director of Planning & Development, Indian River County
Vero Beach Elementary (10:00 AM)
- Deryl Loar, Commissioner District 4, Indian River County
- Mike Zito, Deputy County Administrator, Indian River County
- Sean Lieske, Utilities Director, Indian River County
- Stacey Bush, Housing Services Manager, Indian River County
Indian River Academy (12:30 PM)
- Caryn Toole, CSAC Grants Subcommittee Member
The book selection, The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach, carries a message of resilience and encouragement that mirrors the county’s commitment to supporting early learning from the start.
