A Nation without readers is one bound to fail. This is why Joyce Marcus, initiated the Kids And Teens Read (KATRead) platform recently. The platform aims at promoting reading culture among children and teenagers in different communities in Lagos.
The event featured book reading, book conversation, interviews, question and answer sessions.
The Kids Reading segment was separated from that of teenagers.
The teenagers session, highlight was when a teenage author of the book, The Girl Who Loves Her City, Aishat Ibrahim, read her book and responded to questions raised from the book.
Aishat in the course of her reading addressed the need for people to accept and value their culture, using her tribe, Fulani as an instance.
Further, in chapter eighteen of the book which talks on corruption. Aishat said that ‘everyone is corrupt, we should search ourselves and work on it’ while one of the teenage participant who doesn’t want his name on print, in response insisted that not everyone is corrupt.
In response, Joyce Marcus mentioned that ‘corruption cannot be totally eradicated but reduced to its minimum when people are adequately provided for’.
When we say the event was a great success, we mean it. Ayodeji Faniyi, 9, in a brief interview said, ‘I enjoyed myself and I read five (5) books, myself and my brother came early’. While Olaoluwa Gbadewole,7, did request that his drink and snacks be exchanged for additional book to the ones given. Isn’t that great?
Joyce Marcus in closing did talk about the need for children and teenagers to read as it will aid them any attain heights, she also stated that readers are always leaders.
The April edition is slated to hold at a library in Idimu-ikotun. We hope your children will attend.
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