Arts & Entertainment
Children Discover Joy of Reading at the Mall
Mayor Michael Bonfanti among those who read stories at Kidgits Club Book Blast event.
With the kiddies off from school for the week, the Northshore Mall provided some free winter fun with three events this week, including the Book Blast event on Wednesday afternoon, sponsored by the Simon Kidgits Club.
Outside the Kidgits Club Play area, Radio Dinsey entertained and gave away prizes throughout the two-hour event aimed at helping children rediscover the magic of reading through story-time with four Peabody officials.
Radio Disney kicked the program off with dancing and games, the same fun atmosphere they kept going during the breaks between readers. Children participated in a game of hot potato, Disney trivia and freeze dancing, where everyone received prizes. Special guest Cookie Mouse joined in the fun and helped out the readers.
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Mayor Michael Bonfanti, who read “The Little Engine that Could,” as the first book of the event, has been involved in the Book Blast for several years.
“This is one of the nice pleasures that comes with my job,” he said.
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“The Little Engine that Could,” speaks volumes to the mayor, who as a child had a reading disability.
“Thanks to good teachers I was able to overcome my disability and now I love to read every night and I want to promote reading and help kids continue to read,” he added.
He said he really feels strongly about encouraging children to read daily.
Other guest readers included Peabody Police Officer Kristen Mavroules, Northshore Mall General Manager Mark Whiting and Fire Department Inspector Joe DeFranco.
Simon Malls have also partnered with The Orphan Campaign, using their Book Blast event to help raise awareness for the campaign by featuring the picture book “Shoes,” written by the founder, Jerri James.
The Orphan Campaign sole mission is to care for the 148 million orphans in the world by placing clean shoes on their feet.
The Simon Kidgits Club holds one Saturday event a month as well as three events during each week of school vacation. This week they had a Moonbounce on Monday, the Book Blast on Wednesday and will be hosting a Music Mania event on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
