Your forthcoming programme Aqrali Storja has been conceived with the idea of encouraging children to read but also to improve their Maltese. How do you propose to go about doing this? “I have taken this programme on because wanted to do something to help and foster in all children a love of reading. Through the research I did to prepare for Aqrali Storja I found that popular personalities, role models, leading members of society can leave a positive impact in encouraging children to read. Aqrali Storja is a simple but hopefully effective programme which Anita and myself would like to think will make a difference. At the start of the programme I will first of all give a few interesting facts about some of the ‘best’ foreign authors children should read. This will also guide parents to those books which have already been considered by experts to be good for children. Following this introduction a 'personality' will read a story in Maltese. The first personality will be none other than the President of Malta, who has kindly made time, in his very busy schedule to come and read to the children.”
So will it be a programme based wholly on the Maltese language? Says Jackie who is always so enthusiastic about anything she undertakes: “The programme and the stories are in Maltese. This will help children who are not exposed much to the language. We urge parents to encourage their children to watch Aqrali Storja - so their children will be listening to Maltese regularly while at the same time enjoying a good story. However we are also presenting to children and parents, as I said earlier, a guide to foreign authors.”
As is well known what goes on in the home is as important, if not more so than what happens at school. Is the programme in any way involving parents? Jackie who has a son agrees that parents are crucial in this campaign. “They need to help us by tuning in at 7:00 pm on One TV every day. The programme only lasts for 15 minutes. It might encourage parents who don't read to their children to start doing so. A programme about books and reading on a daily basis will surely have some impact and everyone – children, parents and all will read more – in the bathroom, on the bus, in waiting rooms, before going to sleep and so. Reading is fun. A book is a great silent companion.”
Are you also collaborating with schools to encourage children and parents to watch your programme? Yes, that is what Anita and Jackie would like parents to do. “We have been getting in touch with all heads of schools and hope that they, in turn, will contact and encourage parents to follow the programme with their children.”
It has been proven time and again that telling stories and reading aloud are the two most effective methods of introducing children to books and reading. Will the children on the programme be reading too? “No,” says Jackie. In this programme someone else will do the reading but not the children. “The idea is for all children to enjoy a story or listen to their favourite or well-known personality read a story. Who doesn't like a story? And all the better if is it read by the Prime Minister or Ira Losco. It’s that much ‘cooler’. We would like to push the idea that it's fun, it's cool to read. We are also working on a website to go hand in hand with the programme. There we will be giving tips to parents, info on books and authors and more importantly we want to make it a forum where children can share their opinions, write about the books they are reading , what books they like or dislike and so on. In this way we will be also encouraging children to write. We are not expecting a literary critique but just a few sentences. For those who find it hard, at first, to write, even one sentence will do. It is important that they participate in the project. Those who do can win a good book thanks to Agenda Bookshop.”
I know that President Abela will start the ball rolling and will be the first to read to the children in the programme which starts tomorrow. Who else do you have lined up? “Quite a few popular personalities from different fields – to mention a few: Ira Losco, Gianluca Bezzina, Kurt Calleya, Claudia Faniello, Ivan Grech, Konrad Pulé of Red Electric, John Bundy, Peppi Azzopardi, the Archbishop, the PM, the leader of the Opposition, footballer Edward Herrera who scored a great goal against Denmark, authors of books like Clare Azzopardi, Trevor Zahra, comedians like Sander Agius, Joe Demicoli and so many others. There are also a couple of paediatricians and even The Commissioner of Police has agreed to come. The list is long - 65 programmes, 65 personalities, 65 stories!”
Aqrali Storja is on everyday Monday - Friday from 7pm to 7.15 on One TV.