Lawmaker Donates Copies of Bowie Author's Book to Schools

Maryland Senator Edward R. Reilly of Crofton celebrated the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day by donating copies of Valerie Ormond’s latest book, “Believing In Horses, Too,” to Anne Arundel County Public Schools, according to a news release.

Reilly donates books written by local authors to schools in his district annually on Read Across America Day. Reilly recognized Ormond, of Bowie, in the Senate Chamber on March 3, and urged support for local authors.

“Believing In Horses, Too” tells the story of a young girl, Sadie Navarro, a member of a military family. Sadie worries about her Navy father serving in Afghanistan and turns to her love of horses to distract her from her problems. But Sadie learns that both competition and equine-assisted therapy work also present challenges, and Sadie must find courage to achieve her goals.

Ormond is a horsewoman, secretary of the Maryland Horse Council, a Certified Horsemanship Association certified instructor, and horse owner and rider. She manages her own small business, Veteran Writing Services, LLC. The author visited a number of schools in Anne Arundel County and participated in a year-long book club at Nantucket Elementary School in Crofton.

“I invited Ms. Ormond to come to the school to sign books and speak to the students,” said Nantucket’s Library Media Specialist, Nawal Miller, “ This began a year-long partnership that I know our students will never forget. Ms. Ormond instilled in our students the value of volunteerism and importance of animal welfare. Because of the book, our book club even held a small fundraiser to help rescue horses.”

“I am so honored to be part of the Read Across America program. Of all the books Senator Reilly could have chosen, it is very special that he chose ‘Believing In Horses, Too,’ which will now be available to thousands of children in public school libraries,” Ormond said.