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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1981, PAGE 11 Between You and Me By RUTH COLES ~LJa What an exciting time it was last week for 800 students from E.A. Fairman School and Kathleen Rowe Memorial School in Whitby when they had their great balloon launch. Jean Free, librarian and teacher, received a Canada Coun- cil grant to assist in promoting Canadian books for the National Book Festival, an across Canada event held May il to May 17. Jack O'Rourke, the manager of Miracle Mart, also assisted with the project as a community service. During the year these students read over 2,000 Canadian children's books and magazines while at the same time lear- ned about Canadian authors. Canadian authors like to meet their readers and many of them visit schools and talk with the students. Messages were put inside the balloons, the name of a Canadian book, its author, the student's name and the name of the school. These helium filled balloons can stay airborne for about seven days unless they are damaged while afloat. It is quite conceivable that some of them may find their way to the Atlantic, others will fly over the States and in time will come down goodness knows where. At both events the children holding tightly to the string of their balloons while all grouped about on the grass sang, "O Canada" both in English and French and "This Land Is Your Land." All of a sudden they all released their brightly colored balloons and up and away they went. At launch time at E.A. Fairman School there was a very strong wind, almost due north so the balloons were soon out of sight and seemed to fly at a terrific speed. A calmer day at Kathleen Rowe Memorial School on the following morning so the launch was a bit more effective. The sun shone but there were dark clouds to the north which gave a great backdrop as the balloons sailed up high in the sky with the sun glinting on them and making the colors very bright. Before the launch we talked about the students' interest in books, their preferences and so on. Some of them are real addicts as I was and their faces really light up when they talk about their favourite books and their reading habits. Many of them told me they are encouraged and helped by Mrs. Free. All of them were enthusiastic about the launch and are looking forward to hearing from anyone who picks up a message. Some of them said it is difficult to find Canadian content in the book stores and I have often heard this from adults too. However, this is changing and a great number of us are making our wants known when we visit book stores. If book sellers know there is an ever growing demand they will no doubt do something about it and hopefully very soon. This A handy new book by Sidney Ledson, author of the best-selling book, 'Teach Your Child to Read in 60 Days'. SoHere's a book n ostenographer a university course in grammar but presented in a iively way no university can match. z ,Cý $3.95 PRINTING & OFFICE SUPPLY 218 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax 638-1968 Reading good pastime lack does not pertain to either the school libraries or the Whitby Public Library were many of the children tell me they visit frequently. I don't think children who love to read ever feel lonesome or wonder what to do next. This generally carries through a lifetime and often gives them great confidence. Some people have a hard time regulating their reading habits and children sometimes have to be helped by their families. Bookworms who forget to eat, refuse to play and dislike turning out the light remind me of Thoreau's quote, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." The students eager and enthusiastie about the launch talked happily about books, authors and of course magazines. Over and over they mentioned Chickadee and the Owl magazine, great favorites with boys and girls alike. Filled with facts which they all like, jokes, riddles and "how to" projects, they all enthused which speaks well for the editors of these two comparatively new magazines. Others are very keen about National Geographic and find themselves rereading issues and going back over the beautiful pictures. Farley Mowat is a great favourite too and I can understand that; his books I like to finish in one day. These students at E.A. Fairman talked at length about their love of books. Terry Fudge, 11, in grade five says, "books are fun and they keep me out of mischief." After watching T.V. he sometimes feels encouraged to read to find out more about the topic. He really dislikes commercials and I heartily agreed with him. Shelagh Link, 10, in the same grade, chose "The Pillow" by Rosemary Ellison to put on her message. Margaret Kalnay, 11, on launching day put on her message, "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford. Margaret reads about a 100 books a year. "Owls In The Family" by Farley Mowat was the choice of Bonnie Ann Clayton who reads about 40 books a year. Tam- my Cyr chose, "My Mother Made Me" by Sharon Brain. She said she can be bored easily but never when reading. Stephanie England likes to read about the country she lives in and has great expectations about answers to their messages. Darren Johnston is a library helper and "shelves" books. This he really likes because it gives him a chance to look and see. Wendy Ro loves Chickadee and buys a copy every time a new one comes out. Jennifer Smith reads about 100 books a year and Jacqui Morley both eight and in grade three loves mysteries and suspense stories. Students at Kathleen Rowe Memorial School are great readers too. Both Julie Leswick and Cindy Mudge read SELLOUT!! BARGAINS FOR EVERY ROOM g FOR AS LONG AS IT LASTS. Rocking Chairs..........245 Now s18900 Headboards 54".........S 59 Now s 2990 Dining Room Chairs..' 99 Now s 690 Basswood Curtains 25% off MANDERS RATTAN 305 BROCK ST. N., WHITBY Canadian Mon. . Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tire If you're looking for a better way to save, come talk to us. We have a number of ways we can help. On the other hand, if you need a loan to buy a new car, or make some improvements on your home, just ask. We can approve a loan usually within 24 hours. Whether you're saving or borrowing, we'd like to say "Can do!" to ail your banking needs. When you succeed ...we succeed. ROYAL BANK TELEPH4ONES UNLIMITCD Whitby Mail, Whitby, 571-2010 whenever they can get their hands on a book. Julie has read over a hundred this year. Phillip Scott's mother tells him he always has his nose in a book. I've heard that before. Matthew Frise thinks books are exciting and prefers reading to playing. Kim Skitch says she's crazy about reading and this often helps her with her school work. Tammy Lauchlan loves books and reads before school begins in the morning. We will keep in touch with Mrs. Free and will tell you later on about any messages received by the students. Hopefully there will be a great number. MERCANTILE DEPT. STORE 321 BROCK ST. S. 668-3468 BRAND NAME FAMILY CLOTHING AT REASONABLE PRICES. DISTINCTIVE MENS WEAR. SIZES UP TO XXXL. SYD SILVER FORMAL RENTALS. FASHIONABLE LADIES WEAR. SIZES 5-20. BOYS AND GIRLS FROM SIZE 8 UP. WEEKEND SPECIAL! MENS WESTERN STYLE GWG SHIRTS Reg. s2400 Sale Price 1600 ea. 213000 Saving or Borrowing? L- ,