Over 7,000 Books Distributed During Week-Long St. Thomas-St. John Book Fair

Bookworms, literary enthusiasts, and bibliophiles had the time of their lives last week at a book fair organized by the Office of the Insular Superintendent (OIS) in the St. Thomas-St. John District in collaboration with the Tutu Park Mall.

The week-long book festival, dubbed “Ready to Read”, showcased a diverse array of publications – from coloring books to fiction and non-fiction novels to bibliographies to professional development and industry-specific books – and featured a number of local, regional, national, and international authors. Attendees of every age walked away with something to stimulate their literary fervor.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Desha Powell, the architect of the book fair, said the event was held to mark the observance of National March Into Literacy Month. “The district’s ultimate goals were to promote literacy and foster a love for reading,” Dr. Powell said.

Stacks of books that sat atop several tables lining the center court at the Tutu Park Mall found new homes as scores of students, teachers, parents, and members of the public capitalized on the opportunity to get their hands on free books.

More than 7,000 books were distributed, according to Dr. Powell, “to students from public, private and parochial schools, parents, government agencies, private businesses, and private citizens. Books were handed out to students from the Joseph E. Gomez Elementary School and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. Simultaneously, book distributions were conducted on a few school campuses upon request.”

Adding to the excitement of the event were storytelling by culture bearer, Glen “Kwabena” Davis; readings by Jessica Byrd and Technology Coordinator Kisha Corbett; and literacy games led by Health and Physical Education Coordinator Dr. Lorenzo Donastorg.