Groups to Celebrate National Book Week

The Ventura County Reading Assn. and the International Reading Assn. will join students, parents and teachers in celebrating National Children’s Book Week Nov. 13-19.

The weeklong observance to celebrate books will take place at schools, libraries and bookstores and in homes worldwide.

“If we, as adults, do not read for pleasure, we can be sure that our children won’t learn to love reading from us,” said Dori Maria, president of the Ventura County group. “One of the greatest gifts we can give to our children is showing them the importance of the written word in our own lives.”

Local author and teacher Karen Riggin said writing books is as exciting as reading and adds that the adventure of it is something she shares with the characters in her books.

“How can anything be better than reading?” she asked. “I can visit a world I’ve never seen, go on a voyage, be anyone or anything, just by reading a book. . . . If I can impart that concept to my students, just that, the wonder, the excitement, the great fun of books, then I have taught the most perfect lesson of all.”

Local book week activities include “Families Reading Together, Growing Together,” featuring storytelling, craft making and face painting. The event begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 18 and 19 at the Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road.

The library is also sponsoring a postcard design contest and a radio commercial contest for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Entry forms can be obtained at the library. Deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 10.

For more information, call 581-1906.