It’s no secret formula that hard work yields delicious rewards, and those delicious rewards can, in turn, encourage more hard work. However, when we say “delicious rewards”, that’s not a figure of speech.

This year marks yet another year in the Braum’s Book Buddy Program, a program that rewards schoolchildren with treats from Braum’s when they finish reading six books. All the students need to do is have their teacher or parent/s monitor their reading progress using a chart and sticker book that’s provided by Braum’s. When they finish their sixth book, they can bring the signed book into Braum’s and redeem it for one of a variety of Braum’s ice cream dishes, or even a kids’ meal. The program is free of charge and open to any child in first to fifth grade that’s enrolled in a public, private, or home-school located within 30 miles of a Braum’s location.

Before the Book Buddy Program began, Braum’s was looking for a way to get involved and help the communities where they had a presence.

“We found that one of the greatest needs of our society was a greater literacy rate among children and adults,” explained Braum’s CEO Drew Braum. “We started working with educators and developed the Braum’s Book Buddy program. The success and growth of the program are amazing.” Today the program reaches over 1,300 public schools and more than 3700 home schools, with an estimated involvement of over 500,000 students.

Holly Wilson, a second-grade teacher at Fillmore Elementary in Oklahoma City, has seen first-hand how this program not only enhances the school’s existing curriculum but actually helps children develop a love of reading. She recalls one student who was initially only interested in the ice cream rewards, but soon found a passion for books. “He started reading more often and graduated to larger books, and then he was reaching for chapter books before I knew it,” she said. Each year Wilson sees students that come into her classroom not wanting to read, but at the end of the year, she has a classroom of avid readers. “It is a sweet and tangible thing that they can strive to obtain. By reading and having to take responsibility for what they have to do they are increasing their word and learning knowledge.”

If you’re interested in enrolling in the program or if you know a child or student group that might want to participate, be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s enrollment! Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year will open August 1st, 2020. It’s easy to enroll, and all the supplies you’ll need are provided by Braum’s. You can enroll schools or groups of 51 students or more, or you can enroll home schools or groups of 50 students or less. 

You can get all the necessary information here www.www.braums.com/book-buddy, and if you’ve got any questions about the program you can always reach out to bookbuddy@www.braums.com.

Students have the entire school year to do meet their reading goals, although don’t be surprised if they find some extra motivation to get done a bit faster. If there’s a tastier way to do your homework, we certainly can’t think of it.