It was one for the books as the Childers community came together to celebrate a decade of Read to Me Day yesterday.
Around 350 children spent the morning exploring 15 different reading and activity stations inspired by this year’s theme of Aussie Animal Antics.
The well-loved literacy event concluded with a closing ceremony in the Isis Cultural Centre including a performance from Dr Ace the Illusionist and cupcakes to mark the occasion.
Bundaberg Regional Council departments the Isis Child and Family Program, Childers Library and Childers Neighbourhood Centre were once again proud participants for the popular Read to Me Day.
St Joseph’s Primary School Principal Christina Day said the event was always a highlight of their school calendar.
“It’s been a lovely morning, lots of kids coming in and sharing the joy of reading,” Christina said.
“They’ve enjoyed our stories, they’ve been very keen to get around and see the different stations, so it’s always a good day here.
“The little people look forward to it, so it’s a nice way to end the term.”
Christina said it was important for the community to come together to inspire a love of reading in children.
“Reading is the key to success,” she said.
“Sharing a love of books with kids helps them realise that it’s a lifelong activity for them and something that they can aspire to, especially the little people who don’t know how to read very well just yet.
“They might not have the opportunity for people at home to share books with them so they can come and see all different sorts of people reading the books and see that they have a love for reading.”
Impact Community Services Early Childhood Coordinator Amber Davies attended the event for the first time as one of the station readers and said it was a brilliant initiative.
“Books are an adventure that anybody can have,” Amber said.
“It doesn’t matter what a child’s circumstances are, what their home life is like or what education they’ve had – if they’ve got books, even if they can’t read the words, they’ve got the pictures and they can transport themselves.
“They can live another life and they can learn.”
