LIHUE — The Kauai Children’s Authors Guild will host its annual Read Across Kauai Day for kids across the island on Feb. 27. “I think it’s important to attack literacy from every angle and to have community members come into the classroom,” said Monika
LIHUE — The Kauai Children’s Authors Guild will host its annual Read Across Kauai Day for kids across the island on Feb. 27.
“I think it’s important to attack literacy from every angle and to have community members come into the classroom,” said Monika Mira, KACG founder.
Mira and the other members of the guild created a day designated for literature, where local authors read to children in schools across Kauai.
The event was also established for authors to share their experiences about writing and publishing their books in order to inspire children to read and write.
The event provides an opportunity for children to interact with local authors and establish a personal connection with the books that are read to them, Mira said.
After storytelling, each child is given a book to take home with them in addition to a participation certificate.
Although the 27th is the designated day for Read Across Kauai, Mira said the event will be extended from Feb. 15 until April 15 due to the large amount of students across the island.
In order to complement the Read Across Kauai Day, the guild will host a storytelling session at the Peace Garden Amphitheater in the back of Storybook Theater at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25.
This event will feature local authors and storytellers and will be filmed as an episode on the local television, “Russell the Rooster Program.”
“We have a very diverse group of authors,” Mira said. “A lot of the books are really relevant as far as Kauai is concerned.”
This year’s theme for Read Across Kauai Day is environmental literacy, Mira said.
The authors who will read to the children both at the schools and at the Peace Garden include Mira, Susan Dierker, Mark Jeffers, Mark Huff and Carol Peacock-Williams. Around 400 kids benefited from the program last year.
“Statistics do show that children are still struggling with literacy,” said Mira. “I see kids struggling. It’s really important that children realize that books aren’t just something you buy in a store.”
