THE READING HABIT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 November 1924, Page 14

THE READING HABIT.

CHILDREN’S “BOOK WEEK ” VICTORIAN SCHEME. SYDNEY, Nov. '3O. fo encourage the reading habit in children in the belief that welldirected miscellaneous reading is one of the most important factors in education, two organisations in Victoria—the National Educational Union and the National Home Reading' Union-—are co-operating with the State Education Department in an interesting effort knoAvn as “Children's Book Week.’’ A careful selection of books has been made for use in competitions children of all ages, the competitions being arranged with a view to causing the child mind to probe more deeply into the book than is necessary for the mere satisfaction of casiial interest. There must, it is considered, be individual effort® of thought or criticism, of every work that is read if the full benefits of its message or Oven merely of its. facts, are to be obtained. No less than 72 separate competitions have been arranged throughout the State, mainly in the subjects of “My Favourite Book” and “My Favourite Character in Fiction.” The opinions of the organisers of the movement as to modern books suitable for children are interestingly expressed in their choice of books for prizes in the competitions. W. S. Gilbert’s last book, “Stories from the Mikado,” should be better kiioAvu in Australia than ever after Bbok Week, since already 15* copies have been distributed by the Central Committee to small booksellers, to be given out by them as free prizes in local literary competitions. The child’s interest in floAvers and bees, and in Nature study generally will be greatly encouraged by the perusal of “Her Royal Highness Oueen Bee,” by Mr. H. Byron Moore. The youngster Avho failed to he keenly interested in . this delightfully simply told story of ihe queen bees and the relations of flowers to bees generally Avould indeed he a rarity, and opportunity is offered groAvn-ups to purchase copies and give them to children.