March 8, 2026 4:30 p.m.  

This week children across Douglas County will experience a special celebration of reading thanks to a county-wide Whale Tour led by longtime SMART Reading volunteers and coordinators Nadine and Duke DeVaney.

A SMART release said the couple will travel throughout the county delivering handmade crocheted whale “reading buddies” to children participating in the SMART Reading programs. Each child will also be invited to select a new book about whales to take home and keep, encouraging continued joy beyond the classroom.

The Whale Tour is the result of a personal project by Nadine DeVaney, who crocheted 410 whales – one for every child served by Douglas County SMART Reading. The release said Nadine chose to create the whales as a way to celebrate her birthday, sharing the gift of reading with children across the county.

DeVaney began crocheting book characters several years ago for children in the Myrtle Creek program she and her husband, Duke, coordinate. Over time, her handmade reading buddies – including characters like Pete the Cat and dinosaurs – became a beloved tradition that brought stories to life and enriched shared reading experiences.

While supporting her husband through cancer treatment – he is now cancer free – Nadine continued crocheting the whales in her spare time, turning a simple idea into a county-wide act of kindness.

The Whale Tour reflects the heart of SMART Reading’s mission: to foster a love of reading through meaningful connections, creativity, and community support. Nadine and Duke DeVaney’s efforts ensure that every child has a “reading buddy” – someone to read with when no one else is around.

For more information about the SMART Reading program, go to: https://smartreading.org/about-smart/local-offices/southwest-area/