RISON - It was a day full of colorful stories at the Rison Library Wednesday, June 18 during the Color Our World Summer Reading Program. Local author and illustrator Matthew Yarnell provided two of his children’s books, Flome the Gnome and Flome the Gnome Counts to Twelve, for youth to enjoy. Toys for Tots Youth Ambassadors Kymberly Yarnell (2024-25) and Clara Strother (2025-26) were on hand to assist with the program. After the books were read, children were able to become an author, creating their own books by writing stories to go along with the pictures that they drew and colored. Before leaving, kids were also able to take home a Flome the Gnome Counts to Twelve coloring book or a different coloring book of their choice provided by the Local Toys for Tots Literacy Program. Both Flome the Gnome and Flome the Gnome Counts to Twelve are available free online at agnomeshome.com for parents and teachers to share with their children at home or in the classroom. Physical books can be purchased on Amazon. Additionally, you can also find two of Matthew’s cookbooks available for digital download and several of the Christian songs he has been inspired to compose on the site as well. If you, your group, or your business would like more information on how to participate with the local Toys for Tots Campaign serving Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties, write to pine.bluff.ar@toysfortots.org. If you’d like to help out financially, checks or money orders can be made out to Toys for Tots and sent to TfT Coordinator Matthew Yarnell, PO Box 199, Rison, AR. 71665, or dropped off at the Cleveland County Herald Office or Rison United Methodist Church. You can also donate to the local campaign online at https://pine-bluff-ar.toysfortots.org. ...
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