Easter Read-a-Thon to promote passion for reading
Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS) — The Charles Halbert Public Library in St. Kitts is continuing its drive to create a passion for reading in children through its upcoming Easter Read-A-Thon Programme.
The outreach programme started 17 years ago in celebration of World Book Day which was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading on March 7, 1997.
Assistant Librarian Carmen Blanchard-Browne stated that the Read-A-Thon is a perfect opportunity for St. Kitts to participate in the celebration as children of all ages will come together to appreciate reading.
Mrs. Browne also explained the objectives of the programme.
“The goal of the programme is to create in children a passion and habit for reading and provide children with a foundation to enhance and develop their lives,” she explained. “The objective of the programme is to keep avid readers booked and get others hooked on reading.”
Participants must be 7 to 12 years and are required to read as many books as possible, in some cases up to 100 books within two weeks. Children 7 to 9 years will compete in the Juniors Division and 10 to 12-year-olds will compete in the Seniors Division. Registration is now open and is free. Deadline for registration is 31st March. The activities start on 7th –11th April from 9a.m. – 1p.m. at the Public Library.
In order to qualify for the competition each contestant must be a fluent reader, a quick reader and must love and value books. Each participant must complete a quiz sheet for each book read. The overall winner in each division will receive an award of a trophy; and their names would be engraved in the Read-A-Thon plaque at the library.
Mrs. Blanchard noted that there is much to gain of the programme.
“The benefits of the programme are to provide a forum for book lovers to talk about books that they have recently read, they will have the ability to express themselvesverbally and in writing, [participants] will be allowed to borrow three instead of the usual one book [from the library] and have the opportunity to win book prizes.”
The Charles Halbert Public Library would like to express heartfelt thanks to Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, TDC and Harpers for their sterling contribution towards the reading programme.