Power of books
Thank you for featuring Kristin Froneman’s excellent column in The Morning Star.
I smiled when she mentioned Caroline Keane and Judy Blume.
When I was a child and teenager, the library was my favourite hangout and I read so many books in the children’s library that the librarian called my mother and asked if I could be graduated to the adult library early as I had read everything in my small town’s children’s library.
Those early library experiences had a profound impact on me and I also have had a lifelong love of reading, and, like Kristin, have a great appreciation for Timothy Findlay and the quality of writing of many of our Canadian authors.
We know that not everyone in Canada has had those same childhood experiences and that a shocking 49 per cent of adults in Canada are considered to be functionally illiterate – not possessing a high enough literacy competency to hold a job, get more education or find new careers in a more-literacy based job market.
Our local newspapers play such an important part in promoting literacy and are often the only regular reading undertaken by those who were not exposed to those early reading inspirations.
The Morning Star has been a continuous partner to the early learning and early literacy initiatives undertaken by the North Okanagan Early Childhood Development Coalition member organizations.
Currently we have an Investigative Reading Group of educators who have been given an opportunity to share information in the paper about what they are reading.
We are working on an Unplug and Play initiative to decrease screen time and promote reading, physical activity and family dinners in conjunction with The Morning Star.
The Morning Star has supported Family Literacy Week over many years.
Thank you Morning Star and thank you Kristin Froneman for reminding us of the power of books and the printed word to change and inspire us.
Lynne Reside,
Early Years Community Development Coordinator
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