In celebration of family literacy, libraries across Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties will be hosting the One Book, OWWL Kids community read program throughout March and April. The program, now in its second year, aims to highlight the importance of reading together for early literacy development and fostering strong family and community bonds.
This year’s One Book, OWWL Kids title is Free to Be Elephant Me by Giles Andreae. The book encourages children to be true to themselves and to embrace their individuality. Sarah Matthews, Children’s Librarian at the Wadsworth Library in Geneseo, who helped develop the program, said the book was chosen to spark important conversations around self-esteem and individuality.
Krystina Dippel, Children’s Librarian at Victor Farmington Library, who worked alongside Matthews, agreed. “Through reading and discussing this book, children will be able to identify the things that make them unique. Everybody has something special to offer the world, and it’s important for children to confidently be themselves.”
Participating libraries will hold special storytime events featuring a read-aloud of Free to Be Elephant Me and related activities. Each family will receive a copy of the book to keep.
The One Book, OWWL Kids program is sponsored by OWWL Library System Coordinated Outreach Services, which supports library services and the 42 OWWL Libraries in the four counties. Visit owwl.org/onebook for more information and a list of One Book, OWWL Kids events.
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