Students from years 1 to 6 at The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School are on the receiving end of 400 free books, courtesy of a Big W giveaway that sees 40,000 books going to 100 regional and remote schools.
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School principal Anna Starcevic said the promotion is a good way to foster the children's love of reading, which is already supported with guided reading sessions around the jellybean table in each classroom every day.
One aspect of literature is chosen as the focus of small group discussions with the teacher, be it apostrophes or paragraphing or similar, to improve the students' composition and comprehension skills.
Their book shelves at home also received a boost with the two titles going home with each child: Tomato Sauce of course! by Moya Simons and Jim Grimwade and Cyclone Fever by Sally Morgan, boosting home libraries which in some cases might be a bit bare.
"It's an opportunity for students to read to younger siblings, cousins, friends," Ms Starcevic said.
Year 6 student Harrison already has a collection on his book shelf but said the free books are a welcome addition.
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BIG W's initial Free Books for Kids trial program in February unearthed hundreds of customers in rural communities limited by distance to a physical store, prompting the retailer to partner with charity organisation Good360 to distribute books to as many schools as possible.
Meredith Drake, BIG W's Category Manager for Books and passionate advocate for reading to kids, says that as one of Australia's leading book retailers, BIG W's aim is to make books accessible for all Australian children.
"If you give kids access to books, their potential is unlimited," MS Drake said.
"We wanted to ensure that as many children in remote communities as possible were given the opportunity to read and enjoy these wonderful stories."
The two Aussie-themed titles from the program -- Cyclone Fever and Tomato Sauce of Course -- are authored and illustrated by Australian talent,and chosen as the perfect first chapter book experience for kids aged 5-8 years.
Cyclone Fever author Sally Morgan said she is proud to be a part of this important initiative.
"Reading at a young age is so important to spark imaginations, expand vocabulary and set young children up for a bright future."
Alison Covington, Good360 Founder and Managing Director said, "All Australian children should have the chance to enjoy reading books. We are very excited to be partnering with BIG W to extend this fantastic initiative to remote communities, getting more books into the hands of more children."
BIG W is into Week 6 of an 8-week book giveaway program, for those that do find themselves near a store.