Family Reading Circle, Bocas Lit Fest’s monthly interactive series for children 7 and under, returns on Saturday 16 August at The Writers Centre, with featured authors Miranda Dookran and Stacy-Ann Julien.
Family Reading Circle, hosted monthly by Bocas Lit Fest and Let’s Read TT, encourages parents and caregivers to connect with children by reading together for pleasure. These interactive reading sessions underscore the importance of introducing children to books and reading as early as possible — even before they’re able to communicate verbally.
Developing reading in the home as an enjoyable everyday habit for the whole family has proven benefits, and studies have shown that reading to babies establishes the neurological groundwork for brain, language and literacy development. Reading together creates stronger bonds between children and their parents and caregivers, and reading also helps children develop empathy, social and cognitive skills, and learn how to deal with new, challenging situations.
On Saturday 16 August from 10am to 12pm at The Writers Centre, Family Reading Circle will feature two guest writers: Miranda Dookran, author of Bobby and the Beehive, Bobby and the Beehive Colouring and Activity Book, and Tommy the Shark, and Stacy-Ann Julien with her debut book, Somebody’s Sleepy but Not Me.Â
Let’s Read TT, with their fully-loaded library of books for young children, will also lead an animated read aloud session.
Paper Based Bookshop will be open with copies of Dookran’s and Julien’s books for sale, and a great offer: purchase any two children’s books during the Family Reading Circle and receive a free copy of the Bocas Lit Fest Children’s Storytelling Caravan Book 8.
The Writers Centre, located at 14 Alcazar Street, St. Clair, is also home to the Sleepy Cat Cafe, which will be open with hot and cold beverages and snacks for purchase.
The Family Reading Circle is free and ideal for families with children seven years old and younger.
Each child must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.Â
