From Reader’s Theater to Banned Books: Altrusa Keeps Literacy in the Spotlight
Books have been keeping Altrusa of Tucson members busy lately — from helping third graders bring stories to life at Tully Elementary to preparing a special challenged and banned books display for the Friends of the Pima County Public Library.
At Tully, Reader’s Theater is back for the 2026–27 school year with Gail Dent, Bonnie McPherson, Marcia Lucas, Sheila Hugunin, Margaret Watson, Ann Banwell and Elda Lopez working with an enthusiastic group of third graders, while Elaine Wilder helps document the fun. Sally Schroer, who is not a member, but was a 2nd grade and reading teacher, has also been volunteering her time on Tuesdays.
One recent session gave the students a chance to work on something every good actor needs: expression. Using small mirrors, the students practiced looking jealous before pairing up to perform The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? — a story about Pigeon’s reaction when Duckling gets a cookie simply by asking for one.
Afterward, the students divided into four groups and began practicing different stories they’ll perform during their next Reader’s Theater session.
The visit also provided an opportunity to meet Tully’s new library assistant, Angelica. Altrusa members helped show her around the library and share some of the systems and areas they’ve become familiar with through their ongoing work at the school.
Giving Challenged Books a Place in the Spotlight
That focus on books continued beyond the classroom when Gail Dent and Elaine Wilder helped the Friends of the Pima County Public Library prepare a challenged and banned books display for an upcoming sale. Altrusa Members only October 2 & 3. Open to the community October 9-12.
Gail located children’s and teen books that had faced restrictions or challenges and began adding Post-it notes explaining why each title had been restricted. As the sale approached, Elaine helped write notes for additional books, and the two worked with Friends volunteer Kelly to assemble the display.
The result is a collection that gives shoppers more than a chance to find a book. It also gives them a little background about why some familiar titles have been questioned, challenged or removed in different places.
Elaine plans to help restock the display during the sale, along with the areas where she and Gail regularly volunteer in the children’s section, including paperback novels, board books and foreign-language books for children.
Whether they’re encouraging third graders to act out a story, helping a new school library assistant get oriented or making sure challenged books have a place where readers can discover them, Altrusa members continue finding hands-on ways to support reading and literacy throughout Tucson.