Rocking Our Reading Shoes at Read In Week 2014

Read In Week 2014

Read In Week was created when representatives from Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools and Norquest College wanted to promote the importance of literacy.  It began 23 years ago after the UNESCO declared 1990 The Year of Literacy.  The premise is to have volunteers come into classrooms and share their love of reading and literacy with children from elementary to high school.  If you would like more information about Read In Week please visit their site here.

My first experience with Read In Week was last year when I read to my son's kindergarten and my eldest son's grade 2 class.  This year I volunteered to read in their grade 3 and 1 classes.  What struck me the most both years is how eager the children are to hear someone read them a story.  They cozied up to me as I sat in the teacher's rocking chair or reading chair.  It wasn't as intimidating this year looking out and seeing all their eager faces for the story I was going to read.  

This year my boys picked out their books.  First up was Mr. Yoda in grade 1.  He loves singing to Pete the Cat and as I found out he wasn't the only one.  I had to promise to play the music CD after I was done reading the book so that way they all got a turn to sing. (Eric Litwin performed the audio recording of the story.)

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Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes

Pete the Cat: I love my White Shoes by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean was our first book.  We follow Pete through his day strolling along in his white shoes until he steps in something.  First, a pile of strawberries, then blueberries, and of course mud.  For younger kids toddlers and preschoolers this book is a great book to learn about colours as his shoes change colour to match what he steps in.  For the grade one class, I liked the repetition of words and phrases and by far my favourite thing about Pete the Cat is his relaxed attitude about life.  Does Pete worry?  Goodness no!  This aspect of the book is particularly good for my son as he does worry over things not working out or going as planned. 

Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes

Next I read Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes and it was also a hit with the grade ones.  Here Pete the Cat is wearing his cool shoes that he wears to school.  And he does everything in them from eating, reading, writing, playing and of course rocking in his school shoes.  This one we added our own verses to the story.  I asked the children what else Pete the Cat could do in his school shoes?  He was running in his school shoes, jumping in his school shoes, and listening in his school shoes. We all had so much fun with Pete the Cat. 

Down the hall I made my way Mr. Black Licorice grade 3 class.  I saw so many familiar faces from the previous year and once again they were eager and found their spots on the carpet in front of me quickly and quietly.  Or at least I thought so.  My eldest son's choices did not surprise me at all.  Since kindergarten he has always been bringing home Robert Munsch books and we have many in our home library collection including these two Swamp Water and Give Me Back My Dad by Robert Munsch.

Swamp Water

Swamp Water is a story about a girl named, Victoria, and her grandmother.  Her grandmother wants to take her out for a special birthday lunch.  Victoria wants to go to a hamburger, chicken or taco restaurant but her grandmother wants to take her to a fancy restaurant.  What ensues is a girl bound and determined to have her special lunch.  She orders swamp water from the very fancy waiter and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into very tiny pieces.  You can just imagine how the waiter reacted in this very fancy restaurant.  Victoria wins in the end.  But you will have to read the story to find out how to make swamp water and what Victoria discovers at this fancy restaurant that adds a twist to the ending that is not expected. Parents be warned, children may attempt to create their own swamp water because it just sounds so cool.  And after I read it to my son's class many hands went up to inform me they had already tried it at home. 

Give Me Back My Dad

Give Me Back My Dad is a comical adventure about how a girl named, Cheryl, and her father outsmart the fish they want to catch on their ice fishing trip.  At first Cheryl doesn't believe her father when he says that the fish here are very smart.  The fish turn the tails on Cheryl and her father when they throw up a candy bar attached to a fishing line and she grabs it and gets taken by the fish.  Cheryl's dad has to be cunning to get Cheryl back.  He catches a baby fish.  Now he has a bargaining tool to get his daughter back.  Cheryl gets tossed out and the baby fish gets tossed back in.  Now Cheryl is keen to their tricks and doesn't fall for any more of them, but when they throw out a $50,000 dollar bill and Cheryl's dad grabs it and gets taken, Cheryl must out think the fish to get her dad back.  And the $50,000 dollar bill, it provides an entertaining twist in end.


I really enjoyed reading in my kids class and feel very fortunate that I can share my love of reading with them.  I think this Read-In Week is a great idea as local celebrities, volunteers and basically anyone who loves to read are encouraged to volunteer their time to read to a class in a school.

Cheers,
Bonnie