IN FLETCHER GADDY'S make-believe world, every little boy and girl would own as many books as he does. Every child’s bedside table would have a stack of books and a little lamp to switch on after bedtime. Every child’s bedroom would have well-stocked bookshelves that are easy to reach, especially at night when children are supposed to be fast asleep.
     In Fletcher’s world, he’d be a caped superhero who’d make sure no Georgia child grew up in a home without a single children’s book.
     Sound like a little boy with a far-fetched dream? Not so fast.
     In real life, Fletcher — who turns 5 Jan. 19 and lives in Ardsley Park with his parents and younger sister — is working to make his imaginary world a reality.
     But instead of a cape, he’s relying on his Lemonade Stand for Literacy. Fletcher uses the stand to raise money for the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, which gives a free, age-appropriate book to a registered child every month until the child’s fifth birthday. 
     The Georgia foundation’s goal is to eliminate the key reason why parents don’t read to their children: the lack of quality books in the home. The Ferst Foundation has provided home libraries for more than 67,000 children and is expanding until all 702,000 Georgia children under the age of 5 are enrolled.
    

     After Fletcher expressed an interest in having a lemonade stand, his parents — art professors Raymond (University of North Florida) and Ashley Gaddy (Savannah College of Art and Design) — thought such a stand would be an ideal way for him to learn about giving back to others.
     They learned about the Ferst Foundation while researching charities that Fletcher’s stand might be able to help. Raising money for the Ferst Foundation was a perfect fit for a child who thumps out of his bed at night, plucks a favorite book off his shelf and scrambles back into bed with it.
     Before bedtime, his parents take turns reading two chapters a night to Fletcher from such classics as “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” “The Wind in the Willows,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Call of the Wild.”
     Avid readers themselves, Fletcher’s parents were thrilled to share some of their childhood favorites with him, including “James and the Giant Peach” and “Arthur’s Artichoke.” Even before having children, they started collecting books they loved as children. 
     Ashley attributes Fletcher’s interest in books to being read to daily starting at an early age and regularly seeing Mom and Dad engrossed in books. Weekly trips to the library to check out books and attend story times also contributed.
     After Fletcher was told about the children the Ferst Foundation helps, he couldn’t believe there were kids who didn’t have books. He said he recalls thinking: “We need to give them some.’’
     “Everyone should have books,” said Fletcher, “because each book is so different.’’ 
 
Three Questions
Q. What do you like best about Savannah?
A. School.
 
Q. What are your plans for the future?
A. In addition to becoming a superhero and saving the world, Fletcher also plans to set up his Lemonade Stand for Literacy again and raise money for the Ferst Foundation for Literacy.
 
Q. Who is your inspiration?
A. Mommy.