This year marks the tenth National Education Association celebration of reading connected with the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Seuss, during the month of March.
“The main purpose is for children to like books; to get books in the hands of children,” Donna McCrory Westside Librarian explained.
The Read Across America Book Fair at Westside Elementary earned national attention last year when they took a second place award in the National Read Across America Contest; and Donna McCrory is ready for the challenge of making this year's celebration the best ever.
“The second place prize was a thousand dollars worth of materials for the school,” McCrory said with a big smile.
This year, from Monday February 26 through Monday March 5, Westside Elementary School will welcome special guests to help celebrate reading.
Allison Hatcher and Christine Maddela of News Channel 2, and Channel 4's Snowbird will visit the school on Friday, March 2; Earl Wiman, President of the Tennessee Education Association will be the guest reader on Monday, March 5.
Other guest readers throughout the week include employees from local banks and other businesses, elected officials, and some eighth grade students from Macon County Junior High School.
“Almost everybody at the school does something for Read Across America,” the librarian enthused.
The Read Across America celebration at Westside offers everything from parades and puppet shows, to book readings at Wal-Mart, as part of the far reaching program targeting development of children's love of reading.
Holding readings at Wal-Mart provides an opportunity to reach children who might not attend the book fair.
“We also have a goal of having every child in the county enrolled in the Imagination Library Books from Birth program,” Donna explained.
Thursday, March 1 will be Book Character Costume Day at school. Children will be encouraged to dress as a character from a favorite book for children. The children will also wear their costumes during Thursday night's celebration and all the characters will participate in the book parade in the school gym.
Handouts with book character ideas were provided for students, but Donna McCrory reports each year parents come up with wonderful new ideas, other than those provided.
The two best costumes in each grade receive gift certificates for the book fair.
Students are also encouraged to draw a picture depicting a favorite book title, to enter in the book picture contest. Entries are judged on originality, creativity, neatness, and overall attractiveness. First and second place winners from each grade will receive book fair gift certificates, and the works of art will be displayed in the cafeteria.
The Westside Elementary School gym and classrooms will be overflowing with story book characters, students, parents, teachers, and guests Wednesday evening, March 1, at 6:00 p.m. for the Westside Read Across America celebration. Registration for prizes and groups begins at 5:30.
After the book parade of students dressed as their favorite book characters, and introduction of guests, groups will gather in classrooms to await the arrival of guest readers.
Guest readers at Westside this year include Mae Beavers, Ken Witcher, John Wooten, Reba Bellar, and J.R. Howser.
Later Read Across America celebration participants will enjoy the Scholastic Book Fair in the gym and free dinner in the cafeteria.
Judging from the epidemic of excitement spreading through the halls of Westside Elementary School in anticipation of this year's Read Across America celebration, Donna McCrory's enthusiasm for books and reading is highly contagious.
You can contact Linda Worsham at reporter@maconcountytimes.com
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