By Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative
Editor’s note: This article is updated and reprinted from the Jul-Aug 2023 issue of Cobb In Focus.
As the local point of contact for the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the Cobb Collaborative (cobbcollaborative.org) works to promote literacy in Cobb County through community-wide reading programs that unite families, educators, and community partners. Data demonstrates that children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to graduate from high school — paving the way to higher education, enhanced employment opportunities, and improved health outcomes. As one of many solutions geared toward improving outcomes for children and families, proficient literacy and language skills have been proven to directly influence the opportunities and successes of their lives.
Early Learning Programming: The Basics Cobb County
Incredibly, the human brain doubles in size in the first year, and it keeps growing to about 80 percent of adult size by age 3 and 90 percent — nearly full grown — by age 5. That’s why the earliest years are critical to developing strong readers and engaged students. Our commitment to literacy begins with our youngest residents and their families and is anchored by The Basics.
The Basics consists of five principles that help develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in young children by reminding parents, caregivers, and any child-facing adult to use everyday moments to help build the reading brain. It really is that simple! The five principles boost brain development and improve kindergarten readiness and are simple enough to commit to memory:
- Maximize Love, Manage Stress
- Count, Group and Compare
- Talk, Sing and Point
- Explore through Movement and Play
- Read and Discuss Stories
Since establishing the Basics Cobb County in 2021, the Collaborative has grown the program significantly. In 2024, staff and trained volunteers led 105 engaging and interactive “Playground Paloozas,” reaching 2,889 caregivers and young children. Thanks to grant funding, the Collaborative is able to offer a free text messaging service to parents that correlates with the 5 principles. These “Basics Insights” texts provide activity ideas that are free, simple, and effective and are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Anyone can sign up here: https://thebasicscobbcounty.org/basics-insights.
The Collaborative sponsored a Basics preschool nature trail at Henry Park in Marietta. The signs offer prompts for activities that families can do together while exploring the park.
Little Free Libraries
Recently, Cobb Collaborative was named one of six recipients of the Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Little Free Library (LFL) nonprofit organization. This prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations who exemplify LFL’s mission to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting books in the hands of children and adults in communities around the world. These book-sharing boxes remove barriers to book access by being available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day with free accessibility.
Selected from a pool of dedicated book-sharing advocates across the nation, Cobb Collaborative and Executive Director Irene Barton were recognized for their innovative and community-centered approach to expanding book access throughout Cobb County. Since becoming involved with the Little Free Library movement in 2021, Cobb Collaborative has helped install and maintain more than 70 LFLs in partnership with faith communities, schools, municipalities, scout troops, and neighborhoods.
“It is a privilege to recognize Cobb Collective and Irene Barton as winners of the Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement,” said LFL Executive Director Greig Metzger. “Their volunteer efforts exemplify the vision of the late founder of Little Free Library, Todd Bol, to engage communities and enrich lives through the power of shared books.”
“We transfer stewardship to a local representative when we can, but are so pleased to serve as stewards for many of these libraries,” said Barton. “Our community partners know that they can always call upon us if needed to help with a repair, replenish books or answer questions. It is so gratifying that the Cobb Collaborative has the reputation of being a champion of Little Free Libraries.”
Named in honor of LFL’s late founder Todd Bol, the award celebrates those who continue his legacy of community connection through reading. Cobb Collaborative is proud to be among the 2025 honorees and to continue the important work of advancing literacy.
Georgia Reads Community Award
Earlier this year, the Cobb Collaborative was honored as one of 10 recipients of the Georgia Reads Community Award, a statewide recognition for communities that have shown measurable, long-term impact in improving literacy outcomes. The award celebrates organizations with at least three years of collaborative progress toward ensuring every child in Georgia reads proficiently.
To mark the achievement, Cobb Collaborative hosted a Community Literacy Celebration at Austell Elementary School in May, where literacy champion and Georgia Reads Coach Malcolm Mitchell led a school-wide assembly for over 350 Pre-K through 5th grade students. Mitchell, a former NFL player and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, shared his personal journey overcoming reading challenges and inspired the students with a reading of his children’s book, “Hey, Georgia.” The Share the Magic Foundation has served over 2 million children through in-person and virtual programs since 2018, helping young learners discover the joy and power of reading.
At the assembly, students received a personal copy of “Hey, Georgia,” and a representative from each grade participated in an engaging Q&A session about Mitchell’s personal story and book.
The assembly ended on a high note, led by Mitchell, with a spirited and interactive chant: “When I say ‘Read,’ all of you say ‘Succeed!’” The students enthusiastically joined in — filling the room with energy, pride, and excitement about reading.
Following the school celebration, Cobb Collaborative welcomed state policymakers, local leaders, and community partners to a formal award presentation in the City of Austell. During the celebratory award presentation. Scott Johnson, Literacy Chair for the Georgia Council on Literacy, spoke about the urgency of building strong literacy foundations across the state. “Together, we’re putting the tools in their hands, the coaches in communities, and the skills that will allow them to succeed,” Johnson said.
As part of the recognition, Cobb Collaborative received a $25,000 grant from Georgia Reads to continue expanding its cross-sector literacy strategies throughout Cobb County. Cobb Collaborative remains committed to fostering a culture of literacy, ensuring that every child in Cobb County has the tools, support, and community they need to thrive.
Mayors Reading Club and Family Reading Kits
Sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association, five of Cobb County’s seven mayors are members of the Mayors Reading Club. In several areas, the Collaborative supports the Clubs by providing monthly reading kits. Each kit contains a new book, a hands-on activity that families can do together that supports the theme of the book, an instructional insert with other activities that families can do to support learning, and resources from the Cobb County Public Library. From starting with 50 kits each month in 2023, the program has grown to 280 kits each month.
The Collaborative always collects gently loved children’s books to distribute at community events, restocking Little Free Libraries, and building home libraries. The Collaborative distributed nearly 9,000 books in 2024 and is on pace to exceed that number this year. Anyone cleaning out bookshelves is encouraged to contact the Collaborative for a donation. Many low-income neighborhoods are “book deserts,” meaning that it is difficult to access children’s books. Books develop and nourish children’s imaginations, expanding their worlds. They create questions and provide answers. Books inspire us and the Cobb Collaborative is proud to play a key role in inspiring others.
The Cobb Collaborative is a membership of nonprofit organizations, local government, businesses, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, professional organizations, associations, and residents who share ideas, expertise, and resources to improve outcomes for children and families in Cobb.
Visit www.cobbcollaborative.org to learn more.
