Oxford County Library participating in Forest of Reading

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Discover a variety of Canadian stories, authors, and illustrators at your local library branch with the largest recreational reading program in Canada.

The Oxford County Library is participating in the Forest of Reading Program, which highlights Canadian authors, illustrators, and stories. The library launched its Forest of Reading activities on Jan.12, and readers of all ages can participate in reading challenges part of the Forest of Reading. Each year, more than 270,000 readers across Canada participate through their public or school libraries.

"It's important to highlight Canadian authors, illustrators, stories because we are really promoting the sense of community and reading with our Canadian community and just highlighting different stories from different backgrounds,” said Katelyn Bennett, a literacy program specialist.

The Forest of Reading program features a variety of categories depending on grade level and/or age including the Blue Spruce (kindergarten to grade two), Silver Birch (grades three to six), Yellow Cedar (grades four to eight), Red Maple (grades seven and eight), White Pine (grades nine to 12), and Evergreen for adults.

"I'm really excited. I know that Blue Spruce is usually one of our most popular programs in the past, but I'm excited to highlight books in all of the categories this year and really showcase the nominees that have been chosen,” Bennett said.

The Forest of Reading nominated books and feature stories from a variety of cultural backgrounds, particularly the picture books in the Blue Spruce category.

"It's important to share those different perspectives so people can see different ways of living and sharing different knowledge,” she added.

In addition to tracking the read books, which can be done via the Beanstalk app, kids and adults alike can earn badges and vote for their favourite books. Children between the ages of four and 18 can vote in person at their library branch or online, and adults can vote in September.

Readers can participate in the Forest of Reading Program in their school library, public library, or on their own. Bennet explained that public libraries don’t always participate.

"We do often see it in school libraries, but it's so important to just have this program in the public library system as well, just to showcase what amazing stories there are from Canadian authors, just to share because I find that a lot of books that come in and new things can not necessarily be Canadian authors,” she said.

“So, we love to highlight those and just share those with our community."

More information, including reading lists, can be found at https://www.ocl.net/programs-events/forest-of-reading.