CHILDREN

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”:

The wonderful world of Books

Dear Children,

We are already half way into September which is recognized as Literacy Month. International Literacy Day is observed around the world on September 8.

This is the month that is tailor-made for all you bookworms. I know that most of you children are avid readers. Our interest in the magical world of books is re-kindled during Literacy Month.

Literacy Month is carnival time for book lovers as there are festivals, exhibitions and sales organized by book printers and publishers.

You children must be familiar with annual international book fair which begins this Saturday (17) at the BMICH. Make the most of this book fair as you can buy books at discounted prices. So children, don’t miss out this opportunity.

We Sri Lankans have a very good literacy rate. It is very necessary to be literate, having the ability to read and write. We must create an awareness about the importance of being literate and provide an opportunity for everyone to educate themselves.

You have to be literate to enjoy reading. With most of you getting used to Internet these days, your reading habit gets neglected. Reading books is great fun and fascinating.

Remember reading maketh a man.

Bye for now. Good luck in your book hunting.

- Aunt Anji

READ A BOOK WITH ME...:

The Golden Touch

Hi friends,

How many times have you come across the saying “All that glitters is not gold.”? Well, this is true and isn’t it also true that ‘all that is gold is not really gold to you’? What could this mean? All that is gold is not of value or importance to you. There may be other things or people in life that are of more value and importance to you. Can you value everything by money?

This week we’re going to read a very famous story about the miserly King Midas who has an excessive greed for gold. His greed is so great that he makes a wish that everything he touches should turn to gold. He thinks this will make him a happier person. His wish is granted. Do you think now he can be a happier person? Would you like everything you touch to become gold?

This story is authored by the 19th Century American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. (1804-1864) He is the author of the popular novel Scarlet Letter. (1850)

The story is short and sweet so you can easily and quickly read it. As this is a very famous story, you probably already know it, but maybe you haven’t read it.

So if you can find this little book, you can read it in-between your classes at school; when you get some free time, or on your way home from school in your school van or bus, if you can grab a seat that is. (But, some people say it’s not good for your eyes to read while you travel.) And it’s also a good book to take with you when you go to the doctor. Usually you have to waste a lot of time waiting for the doctor to come and then waiting for your turn to come. You can easily finish reading this book if you have a seat and if you’re not so sick that you have enough strength to read. (If you’re visiting your ‘eye doctor’ don’t forget to ask her/him about reading when you travel. She/he might know. )

As it’s not difficult to find some time to read this small book, read it and see what you feel about the story. What is this story about? What do you think about the characters in it? Do you like the language and the way the story is written? Have you or people you know had similar experiences in life? We can ask so many questions like this from ourselves, when we read something. These questions will help you understand the book better. Do you agree with me?

Now that the new school term has begun you must be busy with your schoolwork. However, meanwhile try to keep your journal too.

I will see you next week with another wonderful story book.

Until then, keep reading and think about this saying: “The best things in life are free.” Is this true?

Cheers! - Gayathri

My Self

Hi, I’m Sachithra
I’m fourteen
I am from Galle
My mother is Erandani Silva
My father is Sarath Chandrasiri
I have two brothers and two sisters
My best friend is Kavisha
My favourite game is netball
I hope to be a doctor some day

Butterfly design	Cartoon character	Beautiful morning
Nihinsa Semali Harischandra Five years, Shalom Discovery Kids Montessori, Dangedara, Galle	Reshan LKG, Kingston College International Mount Lavinia	Pujani Awekshika Kothalawala Nipuni pre-school Nilpanagoda, Minuwangoda
My teachers	A mountain	Our house
Kaveesha Suramini PG IIA, Sujatha pre-school Nugegoda	Umeshkhar Grade 2, Kingston College International Mount Lavinia	Yasitha Nimnaka Jayasekara Grade1D, HO/Subharathi Mahamathya MV Godagama
Alice in Wonderland	Duck	Playground
I Sajeeth Grade 4, Kingston College International Mount Lavinia	Sayani UKG, Kingston College International Mount Lavinia	Charu Chamathka Gamage 2EB, Sujatha Viyalaya Nugegoda

Transformers	Design	Myself
Damien John Jayatilaka 5E2, St. Peter’s College Colombo 4	Husena Grade 8, Kingston College International Mount Lavinia	Hirushi Sherin Ketagoda 1F, Holyfamily Convent Colombo