Early childhood educators know the value of a good book.
Books are an effective tool to help the children they are teaching develop and explore their imagination. That's why the students and faculty from Cambrian
College’s Early Childhood Education and Upgrading programs will be collecting, sorting, and distributing new and gently used books as part of the Share a Book campaign. The Share a Book campaign puts donated children’s books in the hands of children and families and promotes reading aloud, which is the single most important activity leading to language development and early literacy, said Emily Matheson, a professor with Cambrian College's Early Childhood Education and Upgrading program.
The campaign kicked off Jan. 27, which happens to coincide with Family Literacy Day. It will wrap up March 2. The books will then be given to the Sudbury Food Bank, which will distribute them to its member agencies.
“It's hard to believe this will be our fourth Share A Book event,” said Matheson.
In its first year, the campaign collected 1,500 books that were placed in medical offices throughout the city, as well as the pediatrics department at Health Sciences North and the Children's Treatment Centre.
“The word continued to spread after that, and the campaign collected nearly 8,000 books over the next two events,” Matheson said. “Due to the needs of the community, we decided to give the books to food banks in the area. Not only will the people who need to rely on the food bank be able to bring home food, they'll be able to bring home books for their children, too. Not only will that help foster the love of reading, but it will promote nurturing interactions between parents and children.”
The Share a Book campaign is another example that it takes a community to raise a child, she said.
“We believe in our students, and we believe that if we work together, we can make our community a more caring and better place for our children.”
Six branches of the Greater Sudbury Public Library will act as drop-off points for the public to bring in book donations. Books will also be accepted at Cambrian’s Enrolment Centre, located at the front entrance of the College’s Barrydowne campus.
Dan Xilon, executive director of Sudbury Food Bank, said the 28 food banks that are part of the 44 member agencies have come to appreciate the Share a Book program. He's already received calls asking when the next shipment is coming.
“The food bank is a Band-aid solution to help residents get by when there's too much month left at the end of a paycheck,” Xilon said. “These books add a nice concept, because it gives the kids and the parents an opportunity to be together to have quality family time. People who come to us to get food appreciate that food, but they're always very excited about the books.”
