Campaign to Promote Reading for Children up to 14 years Old

Abstract

The alarming data on the functional illiteracy of Bulgarian students compared with
their coevals in Europe are a provocation to draw attention to the needs of children in the XXI century. Two campaigns are considered - "100th anniversary of Roald Dahl's birth" and "Old paper for a new book" (2013 - 2016).

Full text

КНИГИ,
ДЕЦА И ТИЙНЕЙДЖЪРИ:
ЧЕТЕНЕТО
МЕЖДУ
РАЗУМА И ЕМОЦИИТЕ
СБОРНИК С ДОКЛАДИ

XIX NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR
BOOKS, CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS:
READING BETWEEN REASON AND EMOTIONS
COLLECTION OF REPORTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
Sliven, 9 – 11 May 2017
Compiler: Ph.D. Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva

THE BOOK IS FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED BY
THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
BOOKS, CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS:
READING BETWEEN REASON AND EMOTIONS
Collection of reports
ISBN 978-619-7239-36-2
Compiler: Ph.D. Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva
Scientific editor: Ph.D. Rositsa Petrova-Vasileva
Translated into English by Petya Kaneva
Cover Design: Boris Stoilov
Published by “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library
Printed by “Zhazhda” Publishing House – Sliven

CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE READING FOR CHILDREN UP TO 14
YEARS OLD
PhD Victoria Biserova /Enthusiast Publishing House/
Report of round table on topic
“Books, children and teenagers: reading between reason and
emotions”
Sliven, 2017

The alarming data on the functional illiteracy of Bulgarian students compared with
their coevals in Europe are a provocation to draw attention to the needs of children in the
XXI century. Educators reported the irreplaceable importance of reading in the
development of children's psyche, intellect and educational level. Family factor is placed
first in importance, followed by school and coevals. Attractive campaigns with direct
participation of children change their negative attitudes and make reading a desirable
occupation.
In my statement I will draw your attention to two activities for children up to 14
years old - the campaign to mark the 100th anniversary of the British writer Roald Dahl's
birth and the initiative "Old paper for a new book", which are very interesting for many
people and attract new readers.
100th anniversary of Roald Dahl's birth
Roald Dahl was a British humorist of Norwegian descent, famous for his short
stories with an unexpected ending and works for children. He was an author of children's
books like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "The Witches", "The BFG", "The Magic
Finger", "The Twits", "Fantastic Mr. Fox", "Danny – the Champion of the World", "Esio
Trot", but also for adults - the novel "My Uncle Oswald", "Tales of the Unexpected", etc.
The writer is one of the most read and most translated authors in the world. His books
are published in more than 250 million copies in 60 languages and won numerous
awards, and many movies were based on his books. Roald Dahl died in 1990, at the age
of 74. Foundation and museum in the name of the author were created in his honor.
Birthday of the writer - September 13th - was declared the World Day Of Roald Dahl and
since 2006 this day has been celebrated every year by fans of Narrator №1 in the world.
The announcement of the September 13th — the World Day of Roald Dahl in 2006
allowed all publishers worldwide to draw public attention to the author's books by non-
commercial practices to promote his work and promote reading. Culinary festivals
(Peach Party in 2011 for the 50th anniversary of "James and the Giant Peach" Chocolate
party in 2014 on the 50th anniversary of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"), carnivals
for children costumes of favorite characters and quizzes are organized.
In 2016 the whole world was celebrating 100 years since the birth of the writer.
Two years earlier ideas to mark the anniversary were presented by members of the
"Roald Dahl" foundation at the largest forum for children's books - Children's Book Fair
in Bologna. Celebrations in Britain were organized under the honorary aegis of HRH the
Duchess of Cornwall patron. Many initiatives dedicated to the Narrator №1 in the world
– exhibitions, themed festivals, literary festivals, music performances, theater
performances and carnivals were organized in 2016. On September 13th, 2016 schools,
libraries, bookstores and community groups all around the world participated in the
largest celebration of Roald Dahl ever happened. The main focus in the year of Roald Dahl
is the movie based on his book "The BFG". This is the first not animated three-dimensional
film of one of the most iconic filmmakers of all times - Stephen Spielberg, and at the same
time, his first movie as a director for Disney. Publisher of the books for children by Roald

Dahl in Bulgaria is Enthusiast Publishing House. The main objectives of the celebrations
were to present the books by the author to children and promote children's reading.
The first event of the year was held on the International Children's Book Day April
2nd. Within the campaign March of books, an entertaining quiz "Answer the question and
win a prize" was held in "Muzeyko". There were questions and answers about Roald
Dahl's book titles and characters and readings of excerpts from the books by Roald Dal
"James and the Giant Peach", "Dirty Beasts", "Esio Trot" and "The Enormous Crocodile".
On April 23rd, in the Children's department of the Metropolitan Library, children's
rating "Favorite book by Roald Dahl" was launched. The joint initiative was announced
on the World Book Day during the traditional Saturday reading entitled Who loves
stories". By mid-September in the children's department of the library many literary
readings, quizzes, activities with the characters of Roald Dahl, Performing screen
adaptations of stories were held. Within two competitions children ranked a favorite
book by Roald Dahl" and "Favorite character from Roald Dahl's books". At their own
initiative other libraries in the country organized special celebrations for the readers of
Roald Dahl too.
Another initiative is dedicated to children with outstanding talents in literature –
a competition for a story with fanciful words for children 7 to 10 years old and from 11
to 14 years old. To participate in the contest, the children had to invent their own Unusual
words and write a curious story about giants and dreams. The stories had to meet the
given topic, and an obligatory condition in texts to present new words, invented by the
participants. Example: pimply, magical sleeping, monsters carrier, lovely, explosive,
wow-superb. A three-member jury selected the three best stories in both categories, and
creativity and imagination of the participants wore extra points. Over 100 participants
took up the challenge and wrote their stories.
The date of the premiere of the movie based on the book "The BFG", directed by
Stephen Spielberg, is scheduled to be on the birthday of the British writer. "We are
pleased that Stephen Spielberg by his creativity and genius contributed directing "The
BEG" and the lovely story and characters of Roald Dahl appeared on screen in 2016 the
year in which we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl" stated
"Roald Dahl Literary Estate". "The BFG" has enchanted families and their children for
more than 30 years. We are honored that the heirs of Roald Dahl entrusted us this classic
story", Spielberg said in a statement. The project was announced in 2014. The movie
based on the book was the main focus of celebrations in 2016. Melissa Mathison was the
scriptwriter. In the role of Sophie was Il-year-old Ruby Barnhill and Mark Rylance was
The Big Friendly Giant. The music for the film was written by John Williams. The movie
was released on 3D and was sounded in Bulgarian by the voices of Sava Piperov, Malena
Shishkova, Vasilka Sugareva, Georgi Ivanov, Nadia Polyakova, Momchil Stepanov, Veselin
Kalanovski.
On October 31 st, 2016, at the American Center of the Metropolitan Library a
Halloween party for fans of scary characters of Roald Dahl was held. Children were

disguised as their favorite characters from the books by Roald Dahl - The BFG, Mr. Willy
Wonka, Charlie, Fantastic Mr. Fox and many witches. The competition for the most
attractive costume and most terrible disguise provoked creativity of children and their
parents.
On December 17ft, 2016 was the finale of the campaign "100 years since the birth
of Roald Dahl". The joint initiative of the Children's Department of the Metropolitan
Library and Enthusiast Publishing House attracted children's interest throughout the
year. The results of the poll for favorite Dahl's character were announced and it was
Matilda. Targeted efforts in 2016 increased interest in books for children by Roald Dahl.
Thousands of children read the books by the author and were challenged to create.
Five years promoting reading with care for nature
The beginning of the initiative "Old paper for a new book" was launched on
September 15th, 2013. The organizers and partners of the "Old paper for a new book"
united around the idea that it is important that every child from an early age have to learn
to take care of nature, to collect garbage separately and have a special attitude towards
books and reading.
In 2015, the initiative became a national one with the inclusion of the cities of Ruse
and Plovdiv in the campaign, and in 2016 the citizens of Sofia, Haskovo, Varna and Ruse
had the opportunity to educate their children in love of reading and a responsible attitude
towards the environment.
The first edition of the event "Old paper for a new book" was held in September
2013. During the campaign were generated 13 tons of old paper and 2520 children
received new books, over 3000 gifts and prizes from the organizers and partners were
handed in.
The second edition of the event "Old paper for a new book" was held on September
14th, 2014, on the eve of the first school day. The event was held under the slogan "Clean
and read", and the aim was children to learn about recycling, to fmd out interesting things
about books, and have fun while gaining new knowledge. The second campaign reported
11 tons of paper collected and over 1692 books given. Thanks to all who participated in
the children's festival "Old paper for a new book," 143 trees were saved.
In the third edition of the event "Old paper for a new book" 4850 children from
Rouse, Plovdiv and Sofia gathered more than 26.5 tons of paper and received 6,000 new
books. Thus they saved 345 trees.
The fourth edition of the event "Old paper for a new book" was held in four cities
Haskovo, Sofia, Varna and Rouse. More 8 thousand children took part in the initiative and
they collected 40 tons of paper, saved 520 trees and received over 10 thousand new
books.
The initiative "Old paper for a new book" was held under the slogan "Clean and
read" and is aimed at children of all ages and their parents and teachers. The main

objective of the event is to inspire in children a love for books and reading and a
responsible attitude towards nature, environmental protection and separate waste
collection. The idea of the campaign is every child to be accompanied by an adult to the
event and gave a minimum of 5 kg old paper to be recycled to get new children's book
and gifts from organizers and partners of the festival. The event is related to the
imPlementation of various fun initiatives throughout the day by which children acquire
knowledge about recycling how to keep nature clean, how to collect waste separately and
skills to create objects from the garbage. The activities during the event are directed to
develop a love of books and reading and responsible attitude towards nature.
The event continues all day, with a varied program. During the day children, their
parents and all attendees can take part in educational games, competitions and quizzes.
Attendees witnessed also various practical demonstrations. The useful information is
presented in a very accessible and attractive for children way.
The event provides a platforlll for children and teenagers dance and vocal groups
from different fornvations, cornmunity centers and music schools. The program also
provides other fun initiatives like eco performances, and on specially designated sites are
positioned practical workshops where children can express their talent and to make
ornaments, jewelw and souvenirs from paper.
Also disadvantaged people, who demonstrate their skills and talent, traditionally
participate in the event "Old paper for a new book". Two editions of the campaign were
implemented in partnership with the "World of Mary" foundation. Partners and sponsors
of the event are the Bulgarian publishing houses that provide a variety of genre and
subject books for prizes to be given during the campaign.
Main objectives of the campaign:
1. To promote reading among children;
2. To build positive attitudes of children to books;
3. To create a pleasant emotion in children, on the eve of the first school day;
4. To make books and reading a means and opportunity for children to socialize
and interact;
5. To make reading an interesting and fun activity that contributes to the
formation and development of attitude to keep environment;
6. Contribute to create a lasting change in attitudes to recycling and inspire
responsible attitude towards recycling;
7. To train children, to change their attitudes and form a culture of responsible
behavior to environment;
8. To enable parents to educate responsible attitude in children to nature
preservation through this initiative;

9. To help build cultural values of the population, including the development Of
sustainable, ecological, environmental awareness in society;
10. To help the creation and dissemination of cultural values with environmental,
conservation, sustainable themes in literature, theater, music;
11. To educate, train and develops skills, competencies and attitudes of children
and young people for more effective use of resources and less pollution;
12. To give ideas, implement initiatives and promote activities related to
environrnental issues and environmental protection by building sustainable
environrnental culture;
Key messages of the event:
1. Reading books is not only useful, but fun.
2. Reading helps child's development, helps literacy formation, stimulates his
thinking and imagination and helps him learn more about the world around him;
3. Reading enriches children's vocabulary, increase alertness and ability to
concentrate in children and improves their ability to focus their attention;
4. Reading builds listening skills and inspires imagination;
5. Reading books helps children acquire different social skills, socialize and learn
how to properly communicate with other children;
6. Reading enhances competence, knowledge, personal skills and motivation;
7. Separate collection of waste saves valuable resources, drastically reduces the
amount of waste in landfills and helps protect the environment as one ton of recycled
paper saves 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kWh of electricity, 4 cubic meters of the
capacity of the landfill, 31,780 liters of water.
The fifth edition of the campaign is planned for September 2017 in six cities. It will
include activities aimed at attracting new readers, to broaden the scope of the campaign,
which will help to cover many children and parents. All activities are subordinated to the
main goal - to inspire in children a love for books and responsible attitude towards
nature, environmental protection and waste collection as well as to help build the cultural
values of the population, including the development of sustainable, environmental,
conservation culture in society.
The program of the campaign is diverse, and every year it is enriched with new
and different entertaining initiatives to help children gain knowledge about recycling.
Training games, competitions and quizzes and practical demonstrations that build on
with each edition of the event are carried out. The useful information is presented in an
accessible and attractive to children way by eco performances, special workshops and
many fun and educational activities. Thus organizers provoke children and adults and but
as ensure active their participants involvement in the initiatives of the campaign not only
as spectators but as active participants.

The active participation of children is a good practice, which was presented in both
Campaigns described - 100 years since the birth of the British writer Roald Dahl and the
"Old paper for a new book". Within the period considered (2013-2016) tens of thousands
of children under 14 years old and their parents were actively involved in the initiatives.