Heroism Through Reading: National Book Week 2023 Highlights

Ateneo de Manila Grade School celebrated National Book Week 2023 from November 13-17 at the KEMC. With the inspiring theme, "I read. I lead. I am a library hero,” the event was a resounding celebration of reading. Aligned with our commitment to Ignatian Spirituality and the marking of the 50th anniversary of Father Pedro Arrupe's "Persons for Others" speech, the week immersed students and teachers in a literary journey.

A Heroic Kick-off: Book Character Shirt Day

The festivities started with “Book Character Shirt Day,” where students, faculty, and staff donned shirts showing their favorite book characters, some going above and beyond by wearing costumes. This spirited kickoff set the tone for a week dedicated to the magic of reading.

Student Activities: Fostering Creativity and Love for Reading

Poetry Writing Contest 

As part of the pre-National Book Week festivities, Grades 5 and 6 students showcased their poetic talents, crafting verses inspired by the theme, and demonstrating a profound understanding of the power of words.

Book Cover Re-imagination 

Grades 3 and 4 boys unleashed their creativity by re-imagining book covers, honing artistic skills, and delving deeper into the narratives of their favorite stories.

Trivia and Guess and Win

Grades 3-6 students engaged in the Daily Library Trivia from November 6-10, testing their knowledge and love for books while Grades 1 and 2 students had simultaneous Classroom Trivia contests. Winners were later declared during an exciting on-the-spot trivia challenge in the KEMC. 

The Guess and Win contest added another layer of fun to the celebration by highlighting observational skills.

Book Fair

The Book Fair allowed students and teachers to explore and purchase books from renowned publishers that enrich our country’s literary landscape. These included Adarna House, National Book Store, MRAS Book Trading, Vibal Publishing House, Lampara Books, and Johnny and Hansel Publications.  

Activities for Teachers and Staff: Nurturing a Culture of Lifelong Learning

Borrow and Spin Trivia

Teachers and Staff enthusiastically joined the Borrow and Spin Trivia activity, answering trivia questions about each borrowed book.

Daily Library Surprise

Educators also got a chance to win prizes via the Daily Library Surprise, in which a special category was revealed each day to encourage teachers to make multiple daily visits to the library . 

Guess and Win for Teachers

Teachers participated in the Guess and Win contest, adding a friendly competition element among the faculty.

National Book Week Shirt

Unique Book Week shirts served as prizes and tokens for faculty, supervisors, and administrators who showcased exceptional engagement and enthusiasm throughout the week. This event shirt is in line with the Book Week theme and fosters a culture of reading and learning within our heroic community.

National Book Week 2023 was a resounding success. Fostering a love for reading, it reaffirmed that we become leaders and heroes through our engagement with literature. As we reflect on Father Arrupe's call to be "persons for others," our library stands as a testament to the transformative power of literature. Until next year, may the spirit of reading continue to lead us on remarkable journeys of discovery and growth!