The main street of Childers will come alive on Wednesday morning as local children gather to celebrate the annual Read to Me Day event.
Now in its seventh year, 350 young readers are expected to attend the event supported by local businesses, high schools, community groups and Bundaberg Regional Council.
Coordinator Judy Robertshaw said she had the idea to start the event after seeing her friend run something similar in Tully.
“It’s been a community event since we started and faces have come and gone but there has been amazing support the whole time,” Judy said.
“I’ve been blown away by the community support.
“We sought people out in the first year but now they come to us.”
The theme for this year’s event is Fanciful Creatures and children can enjoy an array of craft stands, reading stations and performances from community members and high school students dressed up as elves, pixies, unicorns and more.
Young readers can also enjoy listening to stories from a line up of volunteer readers and will each go home with their own book bag full of special surprises including a library card wallet created by the Bundaberg Quilters and a cookie from the Queensland Country Women's Association.
Judy, who has worked as an educator for over 40 years, said the ultimate message of the event was the importance of reading to young children.
“If you read to a child four or five times a week, they are seven times more likely to study successfully,” Judy said.
“Schools are responsible for nourishing and enhancing reading skills in children but if the community get in there and read to wee ones before they get to school, they’ll enjoy learning and be productive as citizens themselves one day.”
The community is invited to attend this free event and bring along any little book lovers under the age of eight.
“Expect colour, vibrancy and of course lots of stories!” Judy said.
“It’s a really good day.”
For more information on Childers Read to Me Day, visit the Childers Neighbourhood Centre Facebook page here.
