Tony Caridi reads to Belle students as GoMart donates 17,000 books

Tony Caridi, the play-by-play broadcaster for West Virginia University, read to students at Belle Elementary School on Tuesday morning. The session marked the latest stop on his current tour through the state.

Caridi is visiting six different schools over the course of this week. His schedule began on Monday with stops at Sutton Elementary in Braxton County and Stanaford Elementary in Raleigh County. His remaining stops include Milton Elementary in Cabell County, Blennerhasset Elementary in Wood County, and Brookhaven Elementary in Monongalia County.

The visit centers on Caridi's new book, Watch Where You Put Your Feet Down. He stated that the inspiration for the story is a continuation of his earlier work. He previously enjoyed reading to students in Morgantown through the Read Aloud program. That experience led to his debut book, Where, Oh Where, Oh Where, Could We Go? Traveling West Virginia High and Low, which featured various locations across the state.

Caridi said it made sense to write a second book after the success of the first. He noted that the new project arose through a partnership with GoMart. The company is donating 17,000 copies of the new book. One copy will be given to every first grader in West Virginia.

Caridi described the arrangement as a win-win scenario. He said the book contains information about touring West Virginia while getting the material into the hands of young readers. He called it a great partnership and a great way to execute the distribution.

The broadcaster emphasized the value of early literacy. He said the skill of reading can open many avenues in a child's life. Caridi described reading as a superpower for everyone. He argued that if young people get a hold of reading at an early age, the limit to what they can learn and the knowledge they can deliver is effectively nonexistent.