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The Roving Clover brings books to children

The Roving Clover brings books to children

Heather Mathews, Reading Specialist at Sharon Center School, seated before her book bus, The Roving Clover, reads “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn, to Blake Davis, center, and Eloise Gerstle. Mathews takes the bus to local events and gives books away.

Robin Roraback

SHARON — Like a pied piper, Heather Mathews and her little green bus, The Roving Clover, attract children and their parents wherever they go.

When parked at the Sharon Green recently, children and moms appeared within minutes. Mathews is a reading specialist at Sharon Center School.

“The Roving Clover’s mission is to promote literacy by providing young readers with free books; no matter income or zip code.” She has given away thousands of books.

“I heard from many parents asking for help to close the learning gaps created after COVID-19. I met with children on their porches and in their garages, always lugging materials in my large L.L. Bean bags,” Mathews said.

She got the idea to create a mobile classroom with organized materials.

Mathews began to hunt for a suitable bus. A friend told her about a bus in Maine.

“I left a note for my husband and son and drove to Maine,” she said.

After a test drive, she bought it with an inheritance from her parents. Refurbishing it the way she dreamed of would take more funds than she had, so she applied for and received a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“My mom’s favorite flower was the daisy, so I have special curtains and pillows with embroidered daisies. When people come on the bus they are in awe of how cozy it is.”

“My father had the unusual knack for finding four leaf clovers.” Mathews said. “Hence the little green bus became The Roving Clover.”

In 2023 she hit the road for the Memorial Day Parade in Sharon.“My goal was to reach as many people as I could. I wanted to get books to them.”

“As a reading teacher and mom, I feel one of the biggest gifts you can give your child is to just read them. Just read! Reading to children fosters early literacy development that lasts a lifetime.”

Before long, people were leaving books on her porch and in her car at work. “I have never asked for book donations, they just appear.”

A young Hispanic man who was trying to learn to read English stopped by the bus at an event. He asked if she might have any books that he could have.She said he carried the books away “as if they were treasures”.It was a special memory and “still gives me goose bumps”.

The Roving Clover recently got its non-profit status. “Having a non-profit status will help us get funding for a bus that is totally dedicated to being a book mobile. I would like it to be cool in the summer months and warm in the winter so I can attend more events.”

Look for The Roving Clover at these events:

May 31 — North Canaan Spring Fest, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 11 — Sharon Center Schools Slip and Slide

June 14 — Sharon Library Summer Kick off

July 13 — July Fest, Cornwall, 5 to 7 p.m.

Aug. 9 — Taste of Cornwall, 4 to 7 p.m.

Every Wednesday evening from June 25 to July 30 at Sharon Summer Concerts at Veteran’s Field in Sharon Valley, 6 to 8 p.m.

Check therovingclover.org for updates and information.

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