Book festival inspires love of reading in children

July 24, 2011

Ambassador Stewart reads from the classic children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” at the Big Brother Mouse Reading Festival on July 24

Inspiring children to love books was the goal of the first Big Brother Mouse Reading Festival held at Souphanouvong Monument in Luang Prabang district, Luang Prabang province, on July 23-24.

The two-day event, which ended on Sunday, was attended by about 1,100 children and their parents, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Laos Karen Stewart

The festival was organized by Big Brother Mouse, a publishing company that promotes literacy in Laos by distributing fun educational books. Big Brother Mouse books are written and illustrated by Lao authors and distributed widely throughout the country.

The event was packed with things to do and see, including readings, games, a story-writing contest, and traditional dancing and music.
Ambassador Stewart was among those who read books aloud to children during the event.

Department Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Culture, Mr. Som-Ock Phanthavong spoke at the opening of the event, saying that books provide readers of all ages with knowledge and new experiences.

Reading stimulates imagination and creative thinking in children, the director said, adding that books help develop language skills both in speaking and writing.

A major goal of the festival was to encourage children, parents, teachers and the general public to enjoy books and reading, so that they may develop good reading habits. The U.S. Embassy supports this mission and has provided funding to Big Brother Mouse in the past.