Nurture A Child’s Love of Reading with a Book Fest and Donation Drive

On Saturday, Nov. 7, NEW ORLEANS WILL, a program sponsored by the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, will be giving books to children at the New Orleans Book Festival, but first and foremost, we need to make sure we have plenty of books to give away! We’re looking for gently used children’s books, whether illustrative baby books, simple chapter books, or anything that is age-appropriate. Read on for more details about the festival below. You can help us by donating books and spreading the word.

How to Donate

Each week during the month of October and leading up to the book festival, we’re asking people to collect and deliver gently used children’s books to the New Orleans CVB, at 2020 St. Charles Avenue. We’re nearing the end of the book drive, so please try to make a donation as soon as possible!

reading

Nurturing good reading habits in kids can set them up for a lifetime of success. (Photo via the US Department of Education on Flickr)

Strong Reading Skills are Critical

Reading is a fundamental cornerstone to building a successful life and career.  We believe that the power of reading can transform our community and the lives of its citizens.  For that reason we are supporting the City Book Festival.

Reading can help children build independence and self-confidence, and studies have shown that early reading skills are directly related to future academic success. It’s a cost-effective form of entertainment that is safe, educational, and can keep kids busy for hours – through books, kids can travel all over the world without ever leaving their room. Nurturing reading also has an important practical aspect: it helps kids stay safe. From being able to read important warning signs (“Stop,” “danger,” etc.) to having a constructive extracurricular habit, kids who read are set up for a bright future.

When, Where, and What

Presented by First Lady Cheryl Landrieu, the New Orleans Book Festival takes place Friday, Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Latter Branch Library on St. Charles Avenue. It continues the next day from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Big Lake at City Park. Both venues are incredibly picturesque – almost like they’re straight out of a storybook! Bring your children for fun activities like book readings by authors, food and drinks, live music, a contest, and, of course, free books.