WORLD BOOK DAY
I have only two memories of my Grade One year and both have to do with reading. I was in the Bunnies reading group and I figured out that the Robins were better readers. I began to bring my reader home every day and pestered Mom as she was trying to make supper “what’s this word?” So in a very short time I made it to the Robins! A Substitute teacher read a story to us and her way with the printed word was such that I could really imagine “the tigers running around a tree and turning to butter!” I never looked at the pole in our basement classroom without that image coming into my mind.
In a day where there not many “story books” either at home or school, a gift of a book to me was a treasure. In Grade Six, our class received “a whole bunch of books” and our teacher captured our interest every day when she read a chapter of a selected book. As a result, all the class (boys included) became avid readers. Later as a teacher myself, I made it a practice to read to my class at least once a day.
Living in Zambia, the reality meant that books were more difficult to find. Canadian visitors came with novels which in turn enabled us to become “a lending library” for several teachers at our school. They became familiar with various authors and would request copies of their books to be brought back when we returned from home leave. Some even remarked that their English skills and vocabulary were improving.
I discovered in the late ‘80’s that my friend, who was working with me in the Development and Peace Committee was an Award-winning Children’s Author. After reading one of her books** to my Junior High class in Fort Good Hope, individual letters were written to her which included appreciation for her book; life in Fort Good Hope; or any other questions or comments they wanted to make. Imagine our surprise and joy when each student received an individual letter from her!
Good authors like Monica Hughes touch the lives, hearts and imaginations of young and old around the world through their writings.
**The book read to the Students was Hunter in the Dark written by Monica Hughes, who won the 1983 Canada Council Literature prize.
-Sister Amelia Belohorec,csj
