LIMESTONE Coast children will turn a new page in their love for reading this week as The Children’s Book Council of Australia 2019 Book Week is celebrated nationwide.
With celebrations starting yesterday, the region’s primary schools have already started holding activities and workshops around this year’s theme Reading Is My Secret Power.
Reidy Park Primary School school support officer and librarian Michelle Kuller said this year’s theme emphasised books were a powerful learning tool for children.
“Children are able to open a book and dive into the story to wherever they want to be and pretend to be whoever or whatever,” Ms Kuller said.
“Some kids can be going through tough circumstances so in a way books powerfully take them away from those situations.
“Books can also create memories or moments without children realising it while they are in their moment of imagination.”
Ms Kuller said people tend to automatically think of superheroes when first learning of this year’s theme.
“Although it can be about superhero characters in a way, I think the theme is about books being powerful in general,” the librarian said.
“The theme ties in with many areas of reading as some protagonists can be children’s heroes as well.”
During her six years of involvement, Ms Kuller said children were excited for the event no matter the theme.
“I can not reiterate how important it is for kids to read,” she said.
“It helps them in many different learning areas including spelling, talking, imagination, social interaction and much more.”
Ms Kuller said the growing age of technology and people’s busier lifestyles were having an impact on children’s time to read.
“Kids seem to love reading with their mum, dad, family, friends and grandparents,” she said.
“I think the love of reading has diminished over the years and I hope this generation are being read.
“Books are cheap, there are many ways you can get your hands on them and it does not take long to read.”
Ms Kuller said each year the school decorates its library to motivate students to visit to hopefully read and borrow more books.
“The kids love the event and it is a great way for the younger ones to connect with teachers and the enjoyment of reading,” she said.
“Normally kids will come in, borrow a book and then will go back to their class.
“When we have the library set up, kids are able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and create those connections to hopefully read more than just one book.”
The school library will hold multiple activities for students during the week with the school’s traditional Book Week parade being held Thursday at 9am.
