by Belinda Jacks

The phrase “kid in a candy shop” comes to mind when thinking of the

Rock and Read Sessions at the GPISD Title I Parent Conference on

March 10th.  If your idea of “a kid in a candy shop” is being able to select two books for free, then it fits the bill.  What’s more, there is no danger of cavities when you are munching on books. 

Most every student in the childcare section of the Title I Conference got a chance to select two books and sit in the rocking chair of their choice and read just for the fun of it.  Dictionaries, books about princesses, snakes and Captain Underpants were big hits with the students.  Children not only sat and read in rocking chairs, many laid on the floor to enjoy their good book.  As fits with our Read Across the Prairie program, only reading exactly what you wanted to was allowed.

Librarians helped students choose books and either listened to students read, or read to them.  The sounds of happy reading echoed throughout the gym.  There were students beating their chests as they imitated King Kong and voices wanting Yugio or princess books or scary books and everything you can imagine.  After 11:30 there was a Book Walk in which the winners selected free books of their choice as well.

Our goal with the Read Across the Prairie initiative was designed to help people become lifelong readers and to share the joy we have in reading just for fun.  If the Title I Parent conference is any indication, we went a long way in accomplishing our goal.  A special heartfelt thanks goes out to Esmeralda Rodriguez and Sandra De La Cruz for letting us participate in this event for the past two years.  We hope to continue each year.