'Reading is fun'

A mother, Louise Xuereb, shares her experience of storytelling:

Last September I joined the storytelling club. After a few meetings with Mr Laferla, who showed us some techniques, I was eager to start on this new venture which I considered a challenge.

But when the note from Sr Claudia with the details arrived, I started getting second thoughts. In fact, I realised that I was afraid. It even crossed my mind to back out, but with encouragement from my family, including my eight-year-old son who attends St Francis School, I plucked up enough courage.

Thank God for that, because now I can say that it was a wonderful experience.

Storytelling is not teaching - it is just that, reading a story to children. Everyone enjoys listening to a story, even adults. Our aim is to instill in our children the love for reading, transmitting to them that reading is fun.

I prepare myself beforehand by choosing a book adequate to the age of the listeners. I make sure that, if there are difficult words, I know the meaning and can answer questions, or better still find another word which means the same and which the children know. I try to make the story fun and not another lesson.

I encourage all those who can spare some time to join the storytelling club. After all, in the long run, it's our children who will gain from this venture. The little I am giving, I am sure is making a difference. Indeed, I got my reward when I was waiting to see my son's teacher during parents' day and a girl told me - I quote her in Maltese - "Kemm taf tghidha storja!" (You sure know how to tell a story). That made my day!