Sale will be held at the Powerbooks Outlet Store located at 25 Brixton St., Capitol Subdivision, Pasig City. You may reach them at 490-1158.

Citibank provides the schools with workbooks and reading materials. Lesson plans were also provided to the schools and Citibank employee volunteers would conduct storytelling as well as arts and crafts programs.

The project aims to enhance the skills of slow readers and eliminate non-readers.

It is good to see big corporations give back to communities and to society. It is better still when the way in which they give back to society has something to do with education and/or reading for the effects of this will be felt over the long-term.

This year, we went last September 1. We were there from about 10:30am to 3pm. I don’t know if am aging but this visit left me more tired than usual. We did get to purchase a few books (for us and to give away) but I noticed that this year, there seemed to be less people, less stalls (Fully Booked was no longer there), and there were just a few new titles. In fact, in 2006, I spent double the amount that I spent this year. There were more good buys and more interesting titles in 2006 compared to this year.

Organizers of the book fair should also make the “dining area” bigger and less crowded. Every year, when we go, it is a problem to line up for food and find a place to sit. I am sure they have some idea how many people come so they should allot more space for eating purposes.

Anyway, my son was happy with his loot: Children’s Miscellany Volume 3, 140 Dog Breeds, and a Deluxe Origami Set. Some of his stuff he bought with his own money. My daughter (whom I shall probably bring to the book fair when she is older and can follow directions better) was also glad with her Disney Princesses books and a Let’s Draw with Chalk Activity Book. I got some bargain books (less than P100) which can help me out with our Stewardship activities at my parish. My husband was glad to drive us there and spend time with us. He had bought The Four Hour Work Week book a few days ago at non-discounted prices. Sob.

Till the next book fair. Between toys and books, I usually go for books for my kids. It can be a difficult situation having too many books, space-wise, but you can always donate the books in the future and teach more kids. =)

I remember too that Marikina and Bacolod always figured in the top LGUs for this study. I am reminded of this study as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, on July 12, 2007, ran a story about Marikina grade school students topping reading tests. In the article, it was mentioned that Grade 3 students in Marikina did well in reading proficiency tests given in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The city government of Marikina stated that Grade 3 pupils in its public schools obtained a mean percentage score of 79.76%. (LasticMom’s note: I don’t know if this score is supposed to be high enough. It was said to be better though than the scores of other LGUs in Metro Manila.)

The article then went on to discuss Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando’s and the city’s promotion of reading comprehension and proficiency. There are said to be specific reading programs on-going in Marikina such as Concentrated Learning Encounter (which focuses on comprehension) and the Eager Readers project at the city library. Mayor Fernando even states that the city would like to have “zero non-readers in Marikina.”

Any feedback from Marikina students and residents? I guess any effort to promote reading in an LGU deserves commendation and support. If a city or LGU is well-run, it is likely that the leader has his or her priorities in proper order and so it may not be surprising that reading is being given the attention that it deserves. So, do competitiveness and reading go together? I most definitely think so.

The last session featured broadcaster and book author Christine Bersola while the next session, scheduled on July 28, 2007, will have Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno as the reader. Interested parties can call Ellen Caparos or Girlie Refran at 897-8808, local 329.

The reading sessions usually feature contributors like Krispy Kreme, Hands On Manila, and Gawad Kalinga, among others. Scholastic Books also provides books to be read for the different sessions.

This year’s bookfair will have as its theme: “Inspire…Aspire…Read” It will feature more than 300 exhibitors and will highlight the importance of reading in building a healthy nation and an intelligent people.

For more details, you may visit www.manilabookfair.com

Should you take your kids to the Book Fair? Given the number of people at the Book Fair (it can get crowded during weekends and later in the day), it may be more ideal to take older kids (those 7 years old and above). They will have the stamina for it and you lessen the chances of kids getting lost. If you are bent on bringing your younger kids, those aged 6 and below, that’s possible too but make sure that an adult is assigned to watch the kid full-time. Also, be prepared that your kid may want to go home after a few hours. If it’s not too much trouble for you as a parent, you might even want to take two trips: one with the kids and one for you.

Head on to the Book Fair this August and start your Christmas shopping early. Books are one of the best gifts you can give your family and friends. Give the gift of reading and knowledge.

The book is selling for P1,450 if you reserve by July 7, 2007. To reserve your copy, you can call 634-6544 in Metro Manila, Philippines or visit Booktopia Bookstore near Eastwood City. To learn more about Booktopia, you can visit their website at www.booktopia.com.ph