World Read Aloud Day was established in 2010 by the non-profit organization LitWorld with the intent to celebrate reading, create community, and advocate for literacy as a fundamental human right. Hamden Hall has been participating in this global movement for the past two years with English and history teacher Olivia Hamaoui spearheading the effort.

“As an English teacher, I want students to recognize the power of literacy and to be reminded of how books can connect people across age groups and generations,” said Ms. Hamaoui. “It’s one of my favorite days of the year, and it’s also really rewarding for students to see themselves as mentor readers when they are working with younger students.”

The excitement within the PreSchool/PreKindergarten through Grade 2 classrooms grew as the special guest readers sat with the students in small groups for a fun reading session. Middle and Upper Schoolers animated the words of the children’s book stories for the eager audiences with some even adding in character voices. The book selection was curated by Lower School Librarian Pamela Wilonski with titles including Dewey Bob authored by Judith Byron Schachner, Good Rosie! authored by Kate DiCamillo, Dragons Love Tacos authored by Adam Rubin, Hooray for Hat! authored by Brian Won, I Don't Want to Be a Frog authored by Dev Petty, and more.

Ms. Hamaoui and fellow English teachers Moira Cassell, Caroline Ford, and Jennifer Manley accompanied the students with each class visit. The session was filled with active participation as each group enjoyed conversations and read two books during the allotted time.

World Read Aloud Day is an important program to Ms. Hamaoui as she has volunteered with LitWorld for over 15 years and consulted with the organization for curriculum development as part of the Advisory Council. She has implemented the program in her classroom for the last nine years and will keep it a Hamden Hall tradition. She further shared that many of the older students now participate regularly in a reading mentorship program, where they come and read to Lower School students on Tuesdays of A weeks.