White Announces Family Reading Night Set for November 17th
SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is encouraging Illinois families to make time to read together during the evening of Thursday, November 17th to celebrate the Secretary of State's annual Family Reading Night.
"This event is an evening where families are encouraged to shut off the television, computers, video games and other forms of entertainment to read together," White said. "One of the best gifts an adult can give a child is to spend time together reading. An adult who makes time to read to a child sends a strong, loving and powerful message that they care about that child. Children from families who read together are also better prepared for success in school.
"Reading together strengthens families, creates a positive environment for learning, and instills a love for reading among our children. I hope all Illinois families will make time November 17th to read together and celebrate the special joy and unity that comes from family reading."
This is the 14th year in which the Secretary of State's office and Illinois State Library have worked with libraries, schools, educational associations, publishers, literacy programs, community organizations and others to sponsor Family Reading Night. White said the target audience for Family Reading Night is pre-kindergarten to 6th grade children and their families. The theme for this year's Family Reading Night is "Picture the Magic of Reading." The Illinois State Library distributed colorful Family Reading Night posters and bookmarks to several thousand public libraries, school libraries, literacy programs and other agencies to promote and celebrate the event.
White identified some of the creative ways participants are taking part in Family Reading Night this year:
- At the Chinese Mutual Aid Association in Chicago, a children's librarian will conduct storytelling with children while parents attend a workshop on Internet safety. The families will then join together for a 'Riddle Contest' to solve traditional Chinese riddles that have been translated into English. Chinese food and pizza will be served and children will choose books to take home and enjoy with their parents.
- Nauvoo Public Library is celebrating their 90th birthday this year. FRN participants will be reading the books "The Quilt Makers Gift" and "The Quilt Makers Journey," and children and adults will then make a quilt to commemorate the anniversary.
- Germantown Public Library District will have a drawing on FRN for a basket of books worth more than $100. Everyone who visits the library during the week leading up to FRN and checks out reading materials will be entered in the drawing.
- Highland Community College will invite families participating in the Secretary of State's Family Literacy Project to listen to local celebrity readers. Children and parents will work together making their own personal family quilt, and children will play games and design bookmarks. Each family will receive a book and goodie bag.
- Carl Sandburg School in Charleston will offer participants an art project, trivia contest, scavenger hunt and prizes.
- At the Fermilab Lederman Science Center in Batavia, a "Family Literacy Experience" will combine reading and science related activities.
- Waterman Elementary School in Waterman will have readers in costume reading stories from different continents. Prize drawings include pizza certificates donated by businesses and several world atlases. Every student receive a goodie bag with a book, an inflatable globe, a pencil and bookmark. Families are encouraged to wear ethnic dress.
"Reading can enrich and enhance all of our lives, and I commend all adults who take the time to regularly read to children," said White. "Family Reading Night is a special way to spotlight the benefits of reading, and I look forward to another successful evening November 17th."
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