Literacy Fair at St. Christopher's Encourages Reading

Residents and physicians at St. Christopher's recently organized a literacy fair featuring free books, arts and crafts, food and guest readers. More than 50 children and their families attended the event, which was meant to encourage children to read and to promote literacy in their families.

The children participated in arts and crafts projects based on the books Goodnight Moon, The Little Red Hen, and If You Give A Mouse a Cookie. Children drew pictures, made sensory bottles and received tattoos at booths that were staffed by pediatric residents and child life specialists. Administrators, physicians and hospital volunteers read to children and representatives from the Mayor's Commission on Literacy provided information to parents on literacy, summer activities in the city and ways to encourage their children to read. Best of all, every child left with at least one free book to enjoy at home, courtesy of the local Youth Education Center.

The hospital is planning a July book drive to help the Reach Out and Read programs in St. Christopher's outpatient practices.