Mont Fleuri secondary celebrates Multicultural Children's Book Day |25 January 2024
By Vidya Gappy
Students and parents at Mont Fleuri secondary school celebrated Multicultural Children’s Book Day yesterday in their newly renovated library.
Some parents who attended were eager to read with their children, spending hours discovering new books.
The entire week will be dedicated to reading, encouraging parents to engage in reading activities with their children.
Lydia Rignace, head of School Library Services at the Ministry of Education, shared that the “Multicultural Children's Book Day is an annual event that promotes diversity in children's literature and celebrates the importance of cultural representation in children's books. This year’s theme is ‘Read Your World’, allowing all students to hear voices both different from and similar to their own, both from within their own community and beyond”.
She noted that multicultural children's literature helps children understand that despite our many differences, all people share common feelings and aspirations, including love, sadness, fear, and the desire for fairness and justice.
Ms Rignace added that “this activity will encourage parents to start reading with their children and to maintain close contact with school libraries. It will be a reading promotion activity involving the entire school community, including parents”.
Nadia Marcel, the head teacher of the school, emphasised that nowadays, it is not necessary for a child to have a physical book in hand, as they can also use digital books.
“The Mont Fleuri school encourages all parents to dedicate time to their children and listen to them read. Additionally, there is an ongoing competition for writing short stories to enhance creativity and knowledge and we need the parents to encourage the children to participate,” she noted.
Meresa Andre, a parent with two children at the school, expressed, that “whenever possible, both of my children read. They read electronically and traditional books. My daughter Ellie loves to read Dork Diaries. For me, it is important for my children to read as it develops their vocabulary and knowledge”.
Daniel Nicette, a Secondary 1 student, shared his love for comics and adventure books, mentioning that he started reading at the age of five.
Another student, Naomie Lucie, also expressed her love for Dork Diaries and the importance of continuous reading for expanding vocabulary and expression.
Reading is encouraged in all societies, and it is believed that there is no friend as loyal as a book. Some fora in Seychelles have discussed concerns about students turning away from reading in favour of video games. Events like Multicultural Children's Book Day aims to reignite the love for books among children and youth in Seychelles, helping them appreciate the availability of books in libraries.
Vidya Gappy
Photos: Kurtrine Albert
