By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Every year at this time, kids across the Bowling Green area get glued to the same book in the One Book BG program. In the past, they have followed the adventures of a mischievous mouse, a hamster, a rabbit, and a boy who turned everything he touched to chocolate.
This year, children across the community are reading “Year of the Dog,” about a young Chinese American girl trying to find her place in the world.
“It is our first book where we have a strong female character,” said Stacey Higgins, second grade teacher at Crim Elementary.
A month ago, one copy of “Year of the Dog” was given to each family with elementary students in Bowling Green City Schools, Montessori School, Sleek Academy, BG Christian Academy and St. Aloysius.
So as a community, all the elementary children are engaged in the same story – with teachers reading chapters in school, parents reading at home, and local businesses offering students prizes for correctly answering trivia questions about the book.
“My second graders love it,” Higgins said.
Families are also encouraged to do activities at home – like the main character in the story. That includes cooking together and sharing stories of family ancestors.
“This book really lent itself to family interaction,” Higgins said.
Tami Lynch, library media specialist for Bowling Green City Schools, agreed,
“It brings the families together – getting away from screen time and spending time together,” she said.
And in the case of this year’s book choice, the story is lending itself to discussions about different cultures in one community – like Bowling Green, Lynch said.
Best of all, the effort to bring all of Bowling Green together around one book makes reading especially fun for the students, she said.
“It’s fun to see the kids having a blast,” Lynch said.
Last week, all elementary students and their families were invited to a “community family night” focusing on “Year of the Dog.” Bowling Green Middle School gymnasium and cafeteria were packed with students and their families.
Keeping with the theme of “Year of the Dog,” by Grace Lin, the students got to use chopsticks to search for rubbery goldfish hidden in rice; trace Chinese zodiac signs for the year of ox, tigers, snakes and other animals; color dragons; work on the Chinese alphabet and math symbols; create origami; and draw dogs. They played dominoes and ate fortune cookies.
Heidi Obregon brought her son Joey, a kindergartner at Conneaut Elementary, to the community night.
“He loves it so far,” she said of the book. The mother and son read every night before bed – with Obregon noting the importance of early reading to young students. Plus, it’s good bonding time, she added.
“I love the one-on-one time,” Obregon said.
Lisa Cesarini and her son Ryan, a second grader at Kenwood Elementary, also attended the One Book BG event at the middle school.
Ryan is hooked on the story.
“It shows how to draw a dog in the story,” he said. “I’m on chapter 23.”
His mom appreciates the focus on family, friends and school in the book.
“It’s got everything,” Cesarini said. “We usually read it together, so I can hear it, too.”
Joe and Jane Fawcett brought their three children – Daniel, Molly and Patrick – to last week’s event.
“Every evening we try to read a chapter or two,” Jane Fawcett said.
In addition to the story, she likes that One Book BG brings the Bowling Green area together.
“I think it’s a really cool concept – a community feel,” she said.
Later this spring, the students and their families will again be invited to a community event about the “Year of the Dog,” with the author visiting Bowling Green State University for the annual Literacy in Park event.
