A picture book about building a house will assist in building a brain
Children receive a free book and listen to stories from local celebrities
By
Mark Schadenberg
Young
minds need to discover books, and if not books then certainly the idea of
learning from reading.
I
was a professional writer for more than 7 years, and will state categorically
here that a sports reporter and editor of a small daily newspaper is most definitely
a professional writer, as my employment from 1992 – 98 included headline
writing and page design.
I’m
qualified to say that the best way to learn how to spell is to read.
The
best way to develop imagination is to enjoy a book.
The
best way to learn about sentence structure, punctuation and utilizing a
colourful combination of words is to read.
The
best way to nourish any interest you have is to read about it. Comprehension or
understanding is the result of knowing how to read whether your area of study
is sports, history, mythology, autobiographies or books written about people by
a third person.
LITERACY
DAY
After
posting on Facebook about Literacy Day in Woodstock this past Saturday, I later
noted on a friend’s page that I likely was not attending even though I had
promoted the annual event several times through the avenues of social media,
including my Twitter account of @markroyallepage.
I
enjoy publicizing community happenings, and I’m involved with a few, but
Literacy Day is successful thanks to Oxford Community Child Care (OCCC –
www.oxfordccc.ca), Good Beginnings Day Care, the Woodstock Public Library,
Scholastic Books, and many many volunteers. Among those donating their time are
local celebrity storytellers such as Gillian from the kids’ department of the
library, police auxilliary, Dan Henry from Heart FM, and firefighter Paul
Graham. We attended the Graham reading of the picture book The Day The Crayons
Came Home, and I must add that two additional firefighters were present as the
local mini brigade appeared with a real truck, cardboard foldable fire trucks
for the kids and a few red plastic hats.
Firefighter Paul Graham
I
realize it will soon be time to dispose of my old point-and-shoot digital
camera as the out-of-focus photos here indicate, but I was able to return home
with a photo of my son and daughter with Clifford The Big Red Dog. You will
also see a photo from 4 years ago with Clifford and my son. My family has
embarked to Literacy Day at least 6 times, and each time also seeing and
hearing the life-assist therapy dogs, a large craft table, and numerous engaged
and entertained young kids.
Saturday’s
guest presenter was Vikki VanSickle of Woodstock who has penned a few
children’s books such as Words That Start With B, Days That End With Y, along
with If I Had A Gryphon.
All
children attending received a free book. Since my son was not sure exactly
which item would capture his undivided imagination and bring home as
accumulation for his collection, I suggested The House That Max Built by
Maxwell Newhouse. Yes, it is indeed hard to believe that an author with the
surname of Newhouse and a first name of Maxwell could possibly create such a
publication. As a Realtor, I thought I could pick up a few construction tips
from the hard cover.
Literacy
Day always appears to be successful by the flock of families, but I bet you
many parents hear about it afterwards from others and feel they missed an opportunity.
I
recall 2014, author Frieda Wishinsky was the guest and she also scheduled a
stop in the afternoon at the Woodstock library and my daughter enjoyed meeting
her so much, I think she has now read the entire Canadian Flyer series of history
books based on moments in our past such as the fire in Halifax harbour, along
with Alexander Graham Bell, the Titanic, Yukon gold rush days, the railway from
coast to coast, and the arrival of Vikings to North America.
I
just completed page turning of The House That Max Built. By glancing at the
inside cover I can see that Max Newhouse is an accomplished artist also as he
has illustrated and written books on varied topics such as the RCMP Musical
Ride and Emily Carr, and is a past nominee for a Governor General’s Literacy
Award for animation.
Also below is information on a current survey by OCCC as they tabulate thoughts from parents with younger children.
OUR
COMMUNITY.
Since
I truly do believe in promoting area events, here’s a plug for Relay Kickoff,
which is part of the annual Relay For Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer
Society. We’re looking for volunteers. Consider calling me for further
details.
LINKS:
Mark Schadenberg, Sales
Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist
(SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . .
Destination
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