The nation will be celebrating Children’s Book Week on May 7-13; however most of the schools in Liberty County took time out just before Thanksgiving to celebrate the importance of literature in the lives of children!
Children’s Book Week is the oldest literacy initiative in the United States, starting in 1919. The idea originated with a librarian from the Boy Scouts of America, Franklin K. Matthiews. Matthiews toured the country in 1913 promoting the idea that a week should be set aside to promote children’s literature. The cause was taken up by the American Booksellers Association and the American Library Association in 1916 as a result a Good Book Week with the Boy Scouts of America was born. This event later evolved into Children’s Book Week! The Children’s Book Council was established in 1944 and took on the responsibility of overseeing the yearly event. Originally celebrated in November, the national event was moved to May in 2008 by the Children’s Book Council.
Most Liberty County Schools continue to honor the November schedule and encourage students to participate in fun events throughout the week. During the week students enjoyed wearing crazy socks to show how crazy they are for reading. Many students wore sunglasses to show it is cool to be a reader. Students cozied up to a good book on pajama day and enjoyed guest readers. Many students even donned a hat to school to celebrate books.
Students were challenged to read throughout the week. Students at Taylors Creek read enthusiastically to earn 1000 Accelerated Reader Points during the week in order to earn a “Gotta Keep Reading Rally!” with Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Scharnagl taking to the roof of the school to celebrate the accomplishment. Students are Frank Long read to reach individual classroom goals set for Accelerated Reader point and percentage goals for the week. Classes reaching their goals earned popcorn and a movie. Jordye Bacon elementary challenged each class to strive to earn the most Accelerated Reader points and the highest quiz average for the grade level in order to win a pizza party. Students delighted at Waldo Pafford to see Dr. Bacon and Marti Stephens get a pie in the face after reaching the school’s reading goal. Mr. Anderson, Liberty Elementary principal, challenged students to read over 4,000 books during the week. Mr. Anderson celebrated the reading accomplishment by taking a ride in Coastal Electric’s sky bucket!
Students at Button Gwinnett, Joseph Martin, and Waldo Pafford Elementary culminated the celebration with students dressing as their favorite book characters and parading through the school.
Several schools in Liberty County enjoyed author visits sponsored by the Live Oak Public Library during the week. Yvonne Moss, author of The Butterfly Princess visited Lyman Hall Elementary. Author, Doug Paul visited students at Midway Middle and Lewis Frasier Middle. Midway Middle School students in Mrs. Swinson’s class enjoyed interviewing Mr. Paul to learn about the demands and duties of a published author. Students at Waldo Pafford enjoyed meeting Nicole Harrison, author of Oscar’s Odyssey: Lost in Space. Joseph Martin students enjoyed a school sponsored visit from author Kay Heath.
One thing is certain; students in Liberty County enjoyed a variety of activities and will look back on their experience with fond memories, hopefully while reading a book!
