TOPSHAM — School bus driver Don Sanders recently received the Giraffe Award for “sticking his neck out” for children.

Sanders, who drives for School Administrative District 75, came up with the idea of having bags of library books on all school buses for children to read and share. His idea is being replicated across the state and beyond.

Along with Williams-Cone School Principal Randa Rineer and Topsham Public Library’s Children’s Librarian Mariah Sewall, he implemented the program, which has led to mentoring relationships between older and younger children as they read together.

The Giraffe Award was given by the Maine Children’s Alliance.

The Topsham Public Library is at 25 Foreside Road.

FMI: 207-725-1727, www.topshamlibrary.org.