Let's Read and Families Reading Together launched today

Date: Friday, 1st May 2009

City Libraries Aitkenvale branch will today launch the Families Reading Together Challenge along with the Let`s Read program at Aitkenvale Park from 10am.

Residents are invited to listen to stories, sing a song, make some craft or get their face painted while being a part of the Townsville-wide launch of Let`s Read, an early literacy program developed by the Centre for Community Child Health, a key research centre of the Murdoch Children`s Research Institute, in partnership with Smith Family.

The launch of Let`s Read to all Townsville children under the age of five will coincide with the launch of City Libraries` first Families Reading Challenge — a month of fun where families are encouraged to read together and learn together.

Corporate Governance Committee chair Cr Natalie Marr said exposing children to books and reading in their pre-school years helped in the development of emergent literacy skills (the ability to identify and manipulate sounds), the building blocks that are needed to help children learn to read later in life.

The Let`s Read resources will be made available to families through community-based professionals working in various services, including all branches of City Libraries. The support of the Department of Communities, Lancini Group of Companies and the Lions Club will enable the delivery of the Let`s Read program resources to many Townsville residents.

Let`s Read provides families with special Let`s Read resources including tips and information on how to read to babies and toddlers, a suggested book list, a DVD demonstrating ways to read and have fun with books and an age-appropriate book.

"Through Let`s Read, children will have the chance to be part of a new generation who are better placed to learn to read when they reach school," Cr Marr said.

At the Families Reading Challenge launch there will be stories, songs, rhymes, face painting, craft and free morning tea.

Families who read together and complete simple challenges will go into the draw to win a prize to the value of $250.