Advocates for pleasure and leisure reading amongst children, have called on the incorporation on leisure reading in the daily routines of children by schools and parents.
They argue leisure reading equips children with knowledge and skills outside of the classroom which builds them holistically.
Kezia Agbenyega, Author Relations Manager at Worldreader highlighting the importance of reading stated, “Book reading is very important for children and when they pick up book reading from a very young age, they grow with it and it becomes a part of their lifestyle.
She expressed sadness over Ghana’s education system becoming exam oriented, neglecting pleasure reading. “In as much as this type of education is important, it doesn’t teach children other forms of knowledge which can be acquired through reading.”
Oswald Okaitei, a poet and reading advocate added that children who are given the opportunity to read and understand the importance of leisure reading become analytical and independent.
Making a special appearance on the Happy Morning Show to mark the International Children’s Book Day with Samuel Eshun, he noted every child can become an avid reader after understanding the power of reading, with books eventually becoming a socialization channel and shielding children from social vices.
Sandra Yeboah, Editor at Adwinsa Publications pointed out the social advantages of reading. She explained reading builds and improves the communication skills, creativity and confidence of children. “They are able to express themselves in writing and other forms. Pleasure reading will not only increase their performance in class but their life holistically.”
She charged organizer of reading programmes to do so consistently as “consistency builds habit.”
International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is a yearly event sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), an international non-profit organization. Founded in 1967, the day is observed on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, April 2. Activities include writing competitions, announcements of book awards and events with authors of children’s literature.
Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster. These materials are used in different ways to promote books and reading.
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