Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Mar 01/02) - The Beaufort Delta Education Council is taking part in an initiative to promote reading among its students.

The Read on Literacy project was developed in Alberta three years ago and starting this year is being sponsored within the Delta for three years by Schlumberger.

Early last week author Sigmund Brouwer wrapped up a visit of all the schools within BDEC save one. He was unable to go to Fort McPherson due to scheduling problems.

Supervisor of schools Effie MacLeod explained that Brouwer gave each student a signed, free book after his presentations. Students are to write Brouwer a letter describing what they liked or disliked about his book, and they are then to receive another book.

"As long as they keep writing him letters, he will keep sending them free books," MacLeod said.

Brouwer has written about 65 books, most of them geared towards children and youth. MacLeod said every student within BDEC got a free book by the time Brouwer left.

"He donates a full library of his books as well to each school library as he goes through," MacLeod said.

"The children have responded very, very well to his talks, and show a lot of interest."

MacLeod was with Brouwer in Paulatuuq, and she said the next morning most members of one class had already finished their books and were composing their first letters.

"It captures their imagination. If we can get them hooked into reading when they're very young, then that'll pay off far, far more than if we try to work with them when they're young adults or into high school. It's too late by then."

Brouwer is to develop and send up a monthly newsletter to the BDEC schools to maintain a connection with students. His Web site is: www.coolreading.com.

MacLeod said there are other aspects of the Read on Literacy project as well.

"We're only just starting to implement it," she said.