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Never too early to begin enjoying books in the Okanagan

Books for Babies is a program where children getting their first immunization shot get free books
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Six-month-old Kinsley Simmons gets some reading time in at the Penticton Community Health Centre with mom Jennifer, Hanneke Button (left) of the Kiwanis Club of Penticton and Tracey Badger, Books for Babies co-ordinator. (Mark Brett - Western News)

As a mom, teacher and author, Tracey Badger believes kids are never too young to begin enjoying books.

In her opinion, this includes babies just a couple of months old.

This is why when she was asked by Books for Babies organizer and Penticton Writers and Publishers co-founder Yasmin John-Thorpe to take over the program two years ago, she happily agreed.

“I understand the importance of literacy, especially starting early from a very young age,” said Badger, who is the author of the self-published children’s book Sky and Carey: The Fantastic Fort. “You can’t start too young. Babies love the images, they like the bright colours, so they love those images, they see people holding a book (and) they learn the way the pages turn.

“You put the babies on their tummy then they’re sitting up and looking at a book it gives them something to distract them if they’re not happy on their tummy.”

Through the Books for Babies program, and thanks to a co-operative effort on the part of business and community organizations, each baby who goes to the Penticton Community Health Centre for the first immunization shots receives a bag with two hard cover books.

“I have two children of my own, and I’ve lived through those months and years with the babies and have been pleasantly happy with the outcome because they just learn to love books,” said Badger.

Related: Penticton author wants book in children’s hands

Her book is loosely based on the experiences of her daughter and friend, who built a fort one summer in Naramata.

“They talked about it for years so the experience was good for them,” added Badger.

The Kiwanis Club of Penticton has been a big supporter of the project of the years.

“Kiwanis is a service club that promotes loving of children, and literacy is one of our major concerns,” said club spokesperson Hanneke Button.

Related: Your Penticton

Last year, about 300 sets of books, which are packed into the bags by Kiwanis members prior to delivery, were given out at the centre.

Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union Credit Union, is a major supporter of the program and Annick Rahkola, a Penticton Usborne Books Consultant, is also donating a number of books to the program.


 

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@PentictonNews
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