The Alternative Press

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ - Last week, schools across the nation celebrated Read across America Day, and this past Wednesday was World Read Aloud Day.  In recognition of these important events, McGinn elementary invited author/illustrator, Leeza Hernandez, to read aloud and to talk with students about the process of putting a book together.

In 2011, Leeza won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Art Showcase award and is also the 2009 winner of the SCBWI Tomie de Paola Portfolio Award.

Dr. Slocum said, “We selected Ms. Hernandez, because she is a local published illustrator and author of children’s books, such as Dog Gone! She enjoys reading them aloud, adding character voices and physical expressions to highlight aspects of the writing process for young authors.”

When asked what the students’ reactions seemed to be, Dr. Slocum replied, “Students were enthralled by her reading aloud. For World Read Aloud Day she read three chapters of her favorite Roald Dahl book, George’s Marvelous Medicine, and children roared with laughter as she acted out the characters… she was a fabulous presenter.”

Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school. This is the impetus behind Read Across America Day.

World Read Aloud Day is a global initiative to inspire reading, their credo is, “By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.”