THUNDER BAY -- Shannon MacLeod loves to read.
She also loves to inspire reading in others.
On Friday she joined classmates at Chapters, helping younger students at Hyde Park School choose books that will be donated to the school library through Indigo’s Love of Reading Foundation.
“I think it’s important because it’s good to read to kids so they get used to reading and pick out the books they like,” the 12-year-old said.
The youngster developed her own love of reading at a young age, after being read to for many years.
“I really like reading now,” she said, taking a quick break from reading a story to six-year-old Emily Gernat, her book buddy at the south-side school.
“I ask them what kind of books they like to read and who they like to read. She wanted to pick out Frozen, because she likes Frozen.”
Emily said she likes books of all kinds.
“I like them because sometimes they’re creative,” she said.
The idea of picking out some books to restock the library was pretty cool too, Emily said.
“Sometimes we need good books,” she said.
Twelve-year-old Isabella Badanai said showing younger children good books is the best way to convince them that reading can be fun.
“Then as they get older they can get better at reading and as the years go on they can get into great books to,” she said.
Hyde Park School teacher Susan Lieske said reading is everything for students at her school.
They’ve been talking about Friday’s field trip for weeks.
“The kids are so excited to come here and pick out books that are just right for them and things that they’re excited about for our school.
For them to have their own choice on topic and genres – and we talk about that in the school a lot – and for them to have that interest in literacy is a big deal.”
It’s also a chance for students to leave a legacy, she added.
Since 2004 the Love of Reading Foundation has donated more than $17 million to 1,600 schools, including Ogden and Sherbrooke public schools in Thunder Bay.
