Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is urging families in Illinois to spend time together reading on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 19 to celebrate the Secretary of State’s annual Family Reading Night.
“This special event is a night when parents and children are encouraged to turn off the television, computers, video games and other forms of entertainment and spend time reading together,” White said.
“Studies have shown that reading together makes families stronger, creates a positive learning environment, and helps children develop a love for reading that can last a lifetime.”
This year’s Family Reading Night posters and bookmarks celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, and feature a famous portrait from 1864 of Lincoln reading to his son Tad.
Thousands of the posters and bookmarks have been distributed by the Illinois State Library and Illinois Center for the Book to libraries, schools, literacy programs and others to promote Family Reading Night.
This is the 18th year in which the Secretary of State’s office has sponsored Family Reading Night. The target audience is pre-kindergarten to 6th grade children and their families.
White identified a few of the ways participants throughout Illinois are taking part in Family Reading Night this year:
- At Fremont Public Library in Mundelein, a “Family Reading Club” allows families to pick up a Family Reading Club bag that includes 5 books on particular theme, a packet of microwave popcorn, a bookmark, and a coupon from a local restaurant.
- Rochester Elementary School and Rochester Public Library will welcome the Madcap Puppet Theater to perform “Tales of the Silk Road” based on Marco Polo. Before the performance, library classes will have learned about Marco Polo.
- Prospect Heights Public Library District provides families with Family Reading Kits which include books, stickers, bookmarks, a family craft, coloring and activity sheets, hot chocolate and popcorn. On Family Reading Night schools in the Library’s district will be open for special family reading activities.
- Carthage Public Library plans an Illinois A.B.E. (All Birthday Extravaganza) to mark Lincoln’s birthday and birthdays everywhere. Festivities will include librarians reading books and a reading area where families may read together. The library will provide a birthday cake and refreshments.
- The Bloomington-Normal Family Literacy Program plans an event based on the book “Five Little MonkeysJumping on the Bed”. Families will come to the center in their pajamas and bring a quilt or a blanket. There will be a family meal and stories by a local children’s librarian.
- Herrin City Library, together with John A Logan College Literacy Program, have invited Lincoln impersonator Earl Webb to address families. Families will read Louise Borden’s “A. Lincoln and Me.” Parents and children will make stovepipe hats and Lincoln penny medals, enjoy puzzles and word games and receive free books to take home.