Hogwarts and all
Harry Potter works magic for reading, inspires Port Williams event
ANNAPOLIS VALLEY — J.K. Rowling’s books are fast becoming an elixir to help promote family literacy.
Angela Reynolds, community engagement co-ordinator at the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, says there is always record attendance at the Harry Potter events whenever they are held at the Berwick branch.
People of all ages can’t seem to get enough of this magical world and the event quickly fills up each October. Reynolds said this year they are introducing a new Harry Potter event, taking place in Port Williams on Feb. 6, a few days after Family Literacy Day.
“This event will be a bit smaller than the one we host in Berwick,” she said. “This one is taking place on Harry Potter Night, which is an annual event that takes place all over the world. Our event will be part of a bigger celebration.”
Registration is limited for this, so people are encouraged to sign up early and start planning their costumes.
“Parents tell me they are so happy that their children are finally old enough to read the Harry Potter books,” she said. “They loved the books as children and now they love reading the books to their children.”
Each time the library hosts the Potter events, a core group of kids always arrives dressed as Harry and Hermione. The serious Potter fans usually take their costumes to the next level. Reynolds has seen people turn up as Hermione’s cat or Ron’s rat. Families will turn up to the events in matching outfits, taking on the roles of minor characters, or magical creatures.
“The whole idea of family literacy is that it’s not just about kids, it’s for everyone — parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles,” she said. “And there are so many things that can build literacy. You don’t just need to read a book. Follow a recipe together, or make a grocery list, even playing board games involves reading. It doesn’t need to be like school.”
This love for Harry Potter stories is not just fun and games.
Studies have indicated that children are more apt to read as adults if they are read to as children. Reynolds says that research has also shown that just having books in the house produces better readers.
And the reverse is also true. Children will often inspire adults to become better readers when they begin bringing home schoolwork and choosing their own reading material.
“Children come home with books and the parents want to read it to them and share that experience,” she said. “Maybe in the past they didn’t see reading as that important, but now that they have children, they want to build their own literacy.”
Peter Gillis of Valley Community Learning Association says the earlier parents start reading to their children, the better.
If parents struggle with reading, there is good news. You don’t need to read the whole book to young children.
“The key to reading to young children is finding picture books where you can make up the stories,” he said.
A key, he suggests, is to use as much expression and tone as you can.
“Try to make it cozy and comfortable and fun. This helps the child to want this time together.”
This can continue for a couple of years.
“One of the key times that people reach out to us is when they have children and they begin to worry about their own reading,” said Gillis. “Maybe their child is a newborn, or just starting school. These are key times for parents to think about their own reading and worry that they won’t be able to help with their children’s education.”
Gillis added that VCLA offers free adult reading classes, and private one-to-one tutoring that can be arranged around schedules.
For more information on these classes, contact Valley Community Learning Association at 902-679-5252, 1-866898-7323, or visit them online www.vcla.ca.