Partners of Children’s Week will host interactive events throughout the state this month leading up to and following the 22nd Annual Children’s Week at the State Capitol – an advocacy event and celebration for Florida’s children and youth happening March 26-31. Local Children’s Week events will be both fun and educational and include activities such as arts and crafts, live readings, luncheons, outdoor activities, parades and more. You can view a full listing of events by county on the Children’s Week website.
Coinciding with the legislative session, Children’s Week serves as a platform for numerous organizations across the state to advocate for children’s and family issues to Florida lawmakers. On its biggest day, Tuesday, March 28, a variety of free activities for the entire family will take place at the State Capitol. One of the most popular events happening on Tuesday is the interactive Storybook Village hosted by the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of the Big Bend. This event allows over 2,000 children to see their favorite books come to life through art, music, drama and dance. This year’s Storybook Village theme is “Alphabet Zoo” and every child in attendance will receive a free copy of a book. Children and adults attending are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook characters.
“Every child deserves to have access to books and every child deserves to be read to regularly. It is our goal that Storybook Village will inspire children and adults alike to read and to read together,” said Morgan Evers, program services manager for the ELC of the Big Bend and coordinator of the Storybook Village. “It’s a place where some children may hear a book read aloud for the first time and others will go home with their very first book. In a short time, Storybook Village has exponentially grown thanks to our amazing partners who donate time, effort, creativity, volunteers and supplies.”
In addition to the Storybook Village happening on Tuesday, there also will be free Starbucks coffee in the morning, grab-and-go breakfast by Farmshare, a free lunch presented by Sunshine Health, over 100 exhibitor booths to visit, a town hall meeting, youth advocacy workshop for middle and high school students and a chance to hear from legislators.
For more information about Children’s Week and events in your community, please visit www.childrensweek.org.
