A fundamental principle

In the second of North’s look at new educational initiatives coming to the area, a trip to Finchley’s Books Etc is in order to find out how children are being encouraged to read more.

Talk about surreal. North is present at an event involving children and there is total silence. “Just look at their faces when they go into the kids section,” smiles Ana Fischel (pictured above right), surveying a scene of children with their heads stuck in books. “Meeting these children you can see there is still a love of reading.”

Acclaimed children’s writer Ana has come over from Spain to take part in this Reading is Fundamental (RIF) event at Books Etc on Finchley Road. Children from local schools have congregated here for, what RIF hopes, will be a day that will change their lives. “We hope that they will want to pick up a book for themselves,” says Katriona Woollard of RIF.

RIF encourages children to read by giving them access to free books and motivational events such as today’s meeting with Ana, author of ‘The Zartarbia Tales’.

After Book One was released last year, introducing us to the wonderful world of Zartarbia, Ana will soon be on the promotional trail for Book Two’s release in May (there are seven planned as each book is based around one of the seven deadly sins). “It is great,” Ana says, “that there are prominent authors like JK Rowling and Jacqueline Wilson bringing kids books to the forefront again. A book stretches a child’s imagination. In fact, it doesn’t matter what they are reading - whether it is a comic or even song lyrics - it is just good to get them to pick something up to look at.”

“We are not necessarily trying to force children to read,” agrees Katronia. “It is a proven fact that children who read for pleasure are better academically. It’s all about getting that spark of interest. Many children may not have books of their own, so we are trying to give a helping hand.”

It is not just the children who are getting something out of this. Ana, who was born in London, hasn’t let living in Spain stop her from coming back to her hometown. “These are really positive experiences,” she smiles again. “It is nice to have this interaction with children. I was quite nervous initially - my daughter is five and they are easy to please at that age, these children are eight to ten - but it’s been great.”

So RIF appears to be gathering pace, and they have come far since starting up in 1996. “We are looking to reach more children than we are at the moment,” says Katronia. “Our aim is to create a love of reading, so that these children will become life-long readers.” It could all amount to a little peace and quiet for older generations to come.

You can find out more on Reading is Fundamental by visiting www.rif.org.uk Also, step into Ana Fischel’s world by logging on to www.zartarbia.com