One Community, One Book – Wiesbaden Schools Unite to Turn Pages Together
A Community-Wide Reading Adventure
Two elementary schools in the Wiesbaden military community—Aukamm Elementary and Wiesbaden Elementary—have launched a powerful literacy initiative that is bringing families, educators, and community members together in a shared love of reading. This March, both schools are diving into the same book at the same time: Rump by Liesl Shurtliff, a playful and imaginative twist on the classic tale of Rumpelstiltskin.
Every family across both schools has received a copy of the book, ensuring that the experience extends far beyond the classroom. Whether at the dinner table, during bedtime routines, or in the quiet moments between activities, students and their families are reading Rump together—creating shared memories and sparking meaningful conversations at home.
What makes this initiative even more special is the way the entire Wiesbaden community is involved. Each day, students can log in to hear a different community member read a chapter aloud. These familiar voices—teachers, staff, leaders, and neighbors—help bring the story to life and reinforce the message that reading is something everyone can enjoy and celebrate.
To keep the excitement high, the schools are also hosting daily raffles, trivia challenges, and multiple ways for students to check in and participate. The energy around the project is contagious, and students are eagerly engaging with the story in new and creative ways.
At the heart of this effort are two dedicated librarians: Ms. Mary Dill from Aukamm Elementary and Ms. Rebekah O’dell from Wiesbaden Elementary. Their collaboration has transformed a simple reading project into a massive, community-wide celebration of literacy. Their vision and teamwork have created a shared experience that strengthens connections across the Wiesbaden complex and fosters a genuine love of reading.
"There is something extraordinary about knowing that our entire community is turning the same pages together. This shared reading experience is strengthening not only literacy skills, but also the bonds that make Wiesbaden such a special place to learn and grow," shared Ms. Elizabeth Roybal, Aukamm Elementary School Principal. This initiative is more than a reading program—it’s a reminder of the joy that stories bring and the way books can unite a community. Wiesbaden Elementary School principal, Ms. Netra Harwell commented, “We hope this shared story sparks a love of reading, encourages family conversations, and reminds our students that great adventures can begin with the turn of a page.”
As March unfolds, the Wiesbaden community continues to read, imagine, and grow together. And with every chapter of Rump, they’re building not only literacy skills but also a shared sense of belonging—one page at a time.
