World Read Aloud Day 2023: Every day should be story day

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child. — Dr Seuss

Nal’ibali, the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, has been providing a free special story for children to celebrate World Read Aloud Day (Wrad) for more than a decade. This year is no different. Yet again, Nal’ibali is calling on all South Africans to join them reading aloud to the children in their lives on Wrad, which is celebrated on February 1.

For some it will be the first important step to habitual reading while for others it will be a continuation of their reading journey. For Wrad 2023, Nal’ibali aims to reach its goal of reading aloud to three million children.

This year’s custom-written story is by well-known children’s author Tumisang Shongwe and is called Every day’s a story. The story is available on the Nal'ibali website and is free to download in all 11 official languages and in braille.

Ben Rycroft, head of communications and content at Nal’ibali, said: “While this year’s Wrad campaign will again focus nationally on encouraging families to pledge to read aloud, there will be a strong community outreach component brought to life by our community projects that have a strong home visit focus. As always, this will be a collaborative effort with the department of basic education, the National Education Collaboration Trust and other key partners.

“In addition, to add to the excitement, this Wrad event is going global. Nal’ibali has been invited by LitWorld®, an international non-profit which strengthens kids and communities through the power of stories, and Scholastic, the children’s publisher, and the free Storyvoice app to participate in a worldwide Wrad-a-thon on February 1. Shongwe will join international award-winning authors and reading advocates between 8am and 8.30am to live interactive read-aloud shows.”

Why reading aloud?

“There are so many benefits to reading aloud to young children and babies and reading a story aloud together,” said Rycroft.

“Most importantly, parents and caregivers need to understand the connection between reading and storytelling and a child’s future success. Young children who are read to in languages they understand perform better in school, develop better memories and stronger vocabularies and comprehension skills.”

When you enjoy a story with your children every day it:

• shows them you value books and understand the importance of reading;
• shows them reading is an enjoyable and rewarding activity;
• shows them how books work;
• gives you things to talk about as a family;
• guilds a strong bond between you, and;
• lets them enjoy stories they cannot yet read on their own.

The importance of reading cannot be stressed enough. After all, “reading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible”.

Impact of stories at home and school and in the community

Reading underpins all school learning, and a child who can read with confidence is able to perform better in all school subjects. Understanding the questions in a science exam or instructions for a maths project are only possible when a child can read for meaning.

The beauty of stories is they can be shared any time and anywhere. Building a story routine in the home helps children adopt the habit of reading, and it’s fun.

Wherever children and caregivers find themselves on February 1, Nal’ibali is encouraging them to start or keep going with their reading routine using the special story.

Supporting a continued literacy journey

Those who pledge to read the Wrad story as a family can sign up for Nal’ibali’s ongoing family reading journey. This means they’ll receive regular stories, news and literacy tips throughout the year, making it easy to keep up the habit of reading.

About the author

Every day’s a story was written by Shongwe (fondly known as Miss T), a children’s author and literacy advocate. She is passionate about writing short stories and children’s literature that are inclusive of all South African cultures and identities.

Her published books are Naledi’s New Look (2020), Shongololo (2021) and Meerkat Magic (2022).

Shongwe enjoys reading to children and said: “It’s the sparkle in their eyes and their challenging questions I enjoy most about reading and sharing stories with them.”

Help is at hand

Story cards of Every day’s a story are available on Nal’ibali’s website in all 11 official languages. Copies will be distributed by the field team at community outreach events throughout the country.

To ensure children benefit from the simple power of stories and join in the nationwide celebration, there is a short guide for caregivers on how to share the official Wrad story with young children. The guide is also available on the website in seven official languages.

“Wrad is now in its 11th year”, said Rycroft.

“For 2023 we will increase our community engagements, hosting live reading events in locations around the country, organised and led by our field teams. Each event will be unique to the area and community and will feature a special guest to read aloud on the day.”

Besides the pledges, story cards, regional activities and events, Nal’ibali will also issue a 16-page edition of its bilingual reading-for-enjoyment newspaper supplement which will contain the special story.

How to get involved?

Visit www.nalibali.org/wrad2023 or WhatsApp “WRAD” to 060 044 2254 to make your pledge and get the free official story in your language. Share pictures of your read-aloud sessions online using the hashtag #MyWRAD2023.

To participate in the global Wrad-a-thon go to www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday or www.scholastic.com/worldreadaloudday.

Get ready South Africa, it’s time to be heard and read aloud.

Article supplied by Kathy Malherbe on behalf of Nal'ibali