A love of reading really is a gift. Books have the power to change lives. At Expat Living, we are a bunch of bookworms (are you really surprised?) so we were delighted to share this story from Pia Wong, Executive Director of Bring Me A Book Hong Kong. Pia has kindly shared some insight into this important initiative and some recent endeavours the organisation has organised in Hong Kong.
Bring Me A Book Hong Kong author visits
Literacy – and reading – are fundamental rights for every child. It inspires, enchants and opens up the pathways to countless opportunities in life. Bring Me A Book Hong Kong (BMABHK) envisions just that – a Hong Kong in which every child is read to, strengthening family and community bonds, and working to create a love of learning.
To help achieve this mission, BMABHK sponsor author visits, allowing teachers, students, families and the creative communities of Hong Kong to experience first-hand Meet The Author sessions and workshops.
As part of this, children’s authors Lauren Child, Petr Horacek and international reading expert Julie Fowlkes have been spending time in Hong Kong, taking part in an array of various panels and creative workshop events.
Lauren Child – the 2017-2019 UK Children’s Laureate and creator of the beloved Charlie & Lola series – has been speaking to local and expat communities in Hong Kong. She addressed hundreds of local teachers in partnership with the HK Education Bureau. She also participated in Meet The Author talks, with her powerful message to allow children to daydream, be bored and take risks to enhance creativity inspiring many parents.
Children’s Author-illustrator Petr Horacek has also been taking part in BMABHK events and workshops, including a panel discussion for 80 librarians, teachers and the Society of Book Writers & Illustrators. Petr will continue spreading his love of writing, illustrating and reading to school children, giving talks and mural workshops to more than 3000 local students in 8 schools in just one week (Oct 28-Nov 2).
Peak School are one such international school to have experienced these authors first hand. The Peak School librarian said of Petr’s visit, “Petr Horacek delivered one of the best author visits we’ve had. From the moment he started the mural workshop he had all the children captivated and entranced. Petr has such a gentle way of drawing you into his work and humour, and he teaches so much about the process of creating a story and illustration.”
Meanwhile, Julie Fowlkes has conducted a series of workshops and talks on building reading skills, from motivating reluctant readers, to a parent-child book-making fun session.
BMABHK is looking for funding support to expand their author program so they can bring more local authors and illustrators to HK inspire the next generation in 2020 and beyond. Please contact their Executive Director Pia Wong at pia@bringmeabook.org.hk if you or your company are interested to support.
See more in our Living in Hong Kong section:
International schools in Hong Kong
Where to go hiking in Hong Kong
Where to donate used books in Hong Kong
