Mary Alice Reporting –
The East Central Ohio Educational Service Center is hosting its 23rd reading festival for children birth through 8th grade.
This Saturday’s event will see tables set up throughout New Towne Mall featuring schools, local libraries, and community organizations.
ESC Programming and Communications Coordinator Sarah Spies says this year’s theme is “Reading is Sweet”.
“Our idea of doing this festival is just to put books in the hands of kids and to connect our community resources with families. We’ve got about 21 community organizations participating this year and several local authors as well.”
Participating children can also pick up a free book. Prizes are available to win by filling out stamp cards.
Spies adds that this event is continuing the awareness of how important reading and literature is for youth.
“The more you read to your kids when they’re younger the better literacy skills are going to be because they’re learning those language skills as you’re reading to them, as they’re following along with you.’
The November 4th event will be from 11am to 3pm. Other activities include balloon art, and the chance to meet characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
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