Family Reading Night Kicks off Newspaper In Education Week

Newspapers across the world are celebrating young readers this week during the annual commemoration of Newspaper In Education Week.

The Missourian kicked off our local celebration with a huge crowd at Family Reading Night on Friday, March 1 at Washington Middle School. More than 700 children, parents, grandparents and volunteers turned out for the 13th annual event despite school cancellations and winter weather.

Guest author/illustrator Kenneth Kraegel shared his book, "King Arthur's Very Great Grandson," a February Book Buzz Pick. Kraegell's visit from Michigan was sponsored by the Washington Optimist Club.

The Washington Police and Fire Departments wowed the crowds with their readers theater presentations on the main stage. More than 75 readers shared stories throughout the night in the reading rooms and 8 local school parent organizations and Washington NEA hosted activities based on Book Buzz Picks.

The official Cat in the Hat made a stop at the event on his "Cat Tracks Tour" across the state, thanks to Missouri NEA.

Family Reading Prizes donated by the Washington High School Football Team and baskets of books donated by area educators, organizations and businesses were given away at the end of the night.

Family Reading Night is organized by The Missourian and the Washington School District. Additional support was provided by the Washington Library and Washington NEA. Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of New Haven provided Pepsi products for the crowd for the 13th year.

Check out all the Family Reading Night fun in this week's print editions and in our photo and video galleries here on emissourian.com. And don't miss the editorial on the success of our Missourian In Education program this year.