Reading is fun.
Helping kids discover the pleasure in books is the aim of a new program launched this month at the Craik branch of Palliser Regional library.
The Page Turners, a reading club for children in grades kindergarten to five, met Oct. 1 at the Craik library, where they became immersed in the funny, far-fetched stories of Robert Munsch.
Munsch’s illustrated picture books are popular with many children because of the crazy predicaments that children and more often, their parents and teachers, find themselves in.
The Craik library created the Page Turners Club to remind kids that it’s fun to read, said librarian Jo McAlpine.
The club is also a way to encourage children to regularly visit the library.
“It’s a change from holiday themes, so everything isn’t centred around holidays and to show kids they can come to the library when it isn’t Halloween.”
Jody Kearns leads the group, reading a few stories to the children and then gets them involved in a hands-on activity.
Last week’s task involved making a giant cookie to coincide with Munsch’s book Mmm, Cookies!
The Page Turners also made diaries so they may keep track of all the books they’ve read.
To motivate children to keep reading, McAlpine said, they have developed a reward program so that every week, when children return a book they receive a project. Once they return three to four completed projects, they receive a prize.
These projects are fun and simple.
The first project was to match characters to Munsch’s books. Another project shows kids how to draw a pig.
The inaugural meeting of the Page Turners Club had 14 children participating. Next month’s club meeting will feature Dr. Seuss.
“We’re feeling a little guilty about older children (not having a reading club of their own), but we don’t have enough leaders,” McAlpine said.
Craik library’s Page Turners Club meets the first Tuesday of the month.