CPE La Passerelle Des Mousses unveils free reading service
Take a book, give a book approach to bring joy for TBL children
“There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.”
— Frank Serafini
Most would agree that we can teach children to read, but we must follow though by helping them to find something worth reading that will stimulate imagination, inspire possibilities, open their minds to world beyond, and help to put perspective to their own lives as they grow. That is why, staff at CPE La Passerelle Des Mousses on Victoria St. in Knowlton jumped at the opportunity to get on board with “Croque-livres.” Last week the 72 children and invited guests joyfully celebrated the unveiling of their handcrafted and painted book box outside the front entrance of their building.
A Quebec-wide book sharing program that was originally established in 2014, the initiative aims to bring together and engage communities around the pleasure of reading. It can be managed by organizations, institutions, companies, or even individuals.
Erika Cousens serves as an educational support consultant at the government-run day care service. Cousens says that their box, which is located outside the front entrance of their day care, is a model that they are hoping will catch on elsewhere in town and across the region because they offer children and their families free access to shared books.
When the idea was presented to Cousens last winter by educator Isabelle Goudreau, she knew that they had to run with it.
“We are truly hoping that the wide community takes advantage of the Croque-livres, as it is here for them to use and enjoy. We have a great team here at the day care and we all worked together to get this project out and I am very proud to be a part of a team who has the best interest of this community at heart.” They want to make sure that there is at least one book that will spark the fire of imagination and open the world of wonder for every child in the community. They know that there will be one book in the box that each child will find uniquely magic while lighting the fire of endless discovery.
Goudreau and Cousens, along with day care Director Alexandra Roy, all know the value of reading. Leading up to the launch of their Croque-livres program and unveiling of their customized book box, the day care team organized their own literary week. They had applied to the Literacy Foundation: Words of Hope – The Gift of Reading, who donated enough books to make it possible for each of the 72 children at the day care to take home a free book. To get the ball rolling, they each brought their books back to the day care and eagerly cued up after the unveiling of their masterpiece book box so that they could put their books inside, ready for others to discover.
As well, three volunteer members of the community were recruited to do a special story time with each group at the day care. Cousens says that they are hoping to recruit volunteers to read to the children as a special monthly event and to collaborate with Executive Director of Pettes Library, Jana Valasek. They would like to find people who are willing to become monthly regulars so that the children can look forward to the magical interaction with their “someone special”
who reads to them. The sky blue box itself is a masterpiece of whimsical images of butterflies, bumblebees, flowers, and children’s handprints that all the children had a part in painting. The window in the door allows for children to see what books are inside for them to take. Take one, maybe give one back. Share the wealth.
“We are hoping to continue this partnership with the library in hopes of bringing the joy for literacy into the day care via volunteers in the community on a monthly basis,” concluded Cousens.
If your child wants to find a book, all you have to do is go to the book box at the front of the landmark red building that is CPE La Passerelle des Mousses and take one that looks interesting. If you have a child’s book that you would like to drop off, there is sure to be another child who would like to read it. Take one — give one. No money exchanged, no memberships required.
For more information contact: Erika Cousens at 450-242-2131 poste 222.