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8-year-old's organization has delivered 12,000 books
2nd-grader donates to Somis School
David K. Yamamoto / Special to The Star Claudia Moysset, 8, reads one her favorite books to Somis School second-graders Thursday. She donated 100 books to the school library.
Oxnard 12/4/08 David K. Yamamoto/ Special to the Star Eight-year-old, Caudia Moysset holds up one of many of her favorite books she is donating to the Somis School library, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Somis, Calif. Wanting to share her love of reading to other children Moysset donated 12,000 books to various schools and childcare centers in Los Angeles and Camarillo.
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More from Local NewsShe's only 8 years old, but second-grader Claudia Moysset is already president of her own registered nonprofit organization.
In 2006, parents Sherry and P.J. Moysset helped her establish the Bookworm Foundation, a registered charity through which she donates books to other children.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles girl and her mom went to Somis School, which has 300 students in grades K-8, and gave 100 books to school librarian Jean Bricker.
"They are mainly picture books, but there are a couple of chapter books, too," Claudia said. "I love to read, and I want children to get a really good chance of reading as well."
Bricker, the librarian at Somis for seven years, was delighted to accept the new books.
"We always take whatever kind of donations we can get," she said. "We've had monetary donations, and that's basically how we've been buying our books, because there basically isn't any money, so this is great."
Sherry Moysset, 48, runs the entertainment department of a Wall Street-based law firm, and husband, P.J., works in the financial sector of the radio industry. The family lives in Los Angeles but keeps a second home in Camarillo, where Sherry grew up and still has relatives.
In the past three years, Claudia has given a total of 12,000 books to schools, preschools and other children's organizations in Los Angeles and Camarillo.
"Last week, there were nine places we went to. She's happy to speak to the librarians, and she's happy to speak to the kids, and it's great for her socially," her mother said.
Friends and family give Claudia's foundation the money to buy the books. Claudia, who attends Curtis School in Los Angeles, then delivers them with her mom.
"It's great for her because she sees the differences in the libraries," mom said. "She's been to some schools where they have a library that's like this big," she said, holding her arms out to about shoulder width.
"We wanted her to understand and give back. We have had a fortunate life, and we certainly want her to understand there are people not as fortunate as her, and she should always be in a position to be helpful in giving back to society, and so we're trying to inspire that in her."
Claudia herself appeared nonplussed by the whole thing and said she's just happy to share her love of reading with others.
"One school, the kids wrote me a little picture book about the books they read. It was cute," she said.
Posted by opns on December 5, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Claudia, Thank you so much for thinking of others, it is the most beautiful thing someone can do, and you young lady are doing a wonderful job. Keep up the great work. You are appreciated by many. Your mom and dad are very wise parents, and yes you are fortunate. God bless to you young lady.
Posted by mac94 on December 5, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How wonderful to see a child who loves to read and has found a way to give that gift to others.
Posted by Arod on December 5, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
she speaks very eloquently... That's an amazing little girl.
Posted by Relvd98 on December 5, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Little one, more power to you!
Posted by lawabider on December 5, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A huge thanks to Claudia's parents for instilling the RIGHT morals into their child... All parents could learn from them... But, know that you CAN give even when you are not well-to-do -- reading to the elderly neighbor, helping them with yard work, etc., would be nice for our kids to do, too...
Posted by Crime_Stopper on December 5, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lawabider, you said it better than could I. It is that parental leadership by example that can make the difference.
Claudia, thanks for your selfless efforts. If more of us would think and act like you, giving your time, a very precious commodity, without expectation of a financial or material reward, our world would be a much better place to live.
Posted by CamFamFour on December 5, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hats off to Claudia's parents for teaching her the value of service. She is an amazing child and our society needs more like her.
Posted by nojustice_justus on December 5, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Future Harvard or Yale graduate? I would say so...
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