Hooked on Books outreach

EIKENHOF – Little children sat mesmerised as the Hooked on Books Outreach cast gave a performance of The Gruffalo. They are all members of The Johannesburg Junior Council Arts and Culture Committee and were selected by their respective schools to act as representatives on the Johannesburg Junior Council for a one year term of office.

Hooked on Books is a theatre show that performs at schools to encourage the love of reading and literacy.  Stories are left at a cliff hanger to encourage children to borrow the books from the school library and finish reading the story.  All five of the cast members enjoyed many years of Hooked on Books during their primary school years.

During the months of rehearsals, the entire Johannesburg Junior Council embarked on a book drive to collect previously loved books. In addition the council members recycled shipping pallets into bookshelves and thousands of previously loved books were collected. Publishing houses,  Random House (The Monster Crisp Guzzler) and MacMillan Children’s Books (The Gruffalo) generously donated new copies to leave at each organization, after the performances to ensure many happy reading hours.

After the performances the cast and council members formed reading circles with the children and enjoyed reading time together. A presentation of books in the pallet bookshelves was made to Lerato School and to TLC for the children’s reading pleasure.

For more information on The Johannesburg Junior Council and to see a full gallery of photographs please visit their Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/johannesburgjuniorcouncil

For more information on Hooked on Books, please see www.hookedonbooks.org.za