IN celebration of National Children’s Book Reading Day, SM Malls in Bulacan conducted a storytelling activity to promote and rediscover the joy of reading books to the pupils of their chosen public elementary school.
Bulakeño kids had fun while learning as guest storytellers were invited to bring stories to life and to share the moral lessons to pupils aged 4 to 8 years old.
“Book reading is a celebration of learning. In this day and age, when videos and pictures are becoming more prevalent, we must commit to enforce reading to our children, who will be our future leaders,” SM City San Jose del Monte Mall Manager Jose Mari Emmanuel H. Correa said.
Kicking off the two-part storytelling was the reading of Robert Magnuson’s Duck and Croc Meet Collector Alligator, an inspiring story about Duck and Croc, who are the best of friends. The kids joined in their adventure on how Duck teaches Croc in using their imagination after not finding a Pixie Horse toy that Collector Alligator hoards from every single store.
Actress, TV host and anchor Diane Medina joined in the storytelling and shared lessons with both the children and the teachers and guardians present.
“It is important that we bring back our children into book reading where they get proper information and could widen their vocabulary. Please help SM raise this awareness on how important book reading is, especially in today’s generation that we are living in a much more modernized world where everything and everyone is in technology.” Medina said after reading the first story.
Meanwhile, the second story, Duck and Croc’s Magnificent Race, also by Magnuson, was read by SM City San Jose del Monte’s Leasing Manager Michelle Balcueva, where the kids witnessed the most exciting race and learned the meaning of a healthy competition.
The event was also highlighted by the turnover of books, pencils and other reading materials to the Tungkong Mangga Elementary School. As an added treat, each participant received a snack meal and entertainment from a popular Filipino fastfood chain mascot.
SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulian also inspired pupils from Tarcan Elementary School, Bulacan North Central School, Santo Cristo Elementary School and Marciano del Rosario Memorial Elementary School with the same inspiring stories.
SM City Marilao’s celebration of book reading is on July 24.
Spearheaded by SM Cares, the National Children’s Book Reading Day celebration is held in all SM Malls every third Tuesday of July in commemoration of the publication of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s classic Ang Pagong at ang Matsing. It is a joint project of Vibal Publishing Inc. National Book Store, the Department of Education, United Nations Children’s Fund, and SM Supermalls to influence, instill and share a culture of reading among children.