Encouraging Students To Read

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Kleefeld School celebrated Manitoba School Library Day Monday evening.

Author and Photographer Dennis Fast is an award-winning photographer who has spent time around Churchill taking pictures of wildlife and leading Polar Bear Photo Safari's. Fast was a guest at the event and read his book 'Princess' to a group of students and their parents. Librarian Sandee Pauls notes the Kleefeld School started participating in the event in 2004. When asked about reading in a technology-based culture, Fast says reading is still important.

"Because when I was a kid and in school we didn't have a libraries and I ordered books from the extension library at the University. I read pretty much a book a day. That's why when I see a library like this at Kleefeld School which is much, much bigger than what I was lucky to have. Kids have no reason not read, except for all the distractions these days."

Pauls adds there are always readers and for the children that like video games there are graphic novels.

Fast also announced the release of his new book 'Touch The Arctic' which is a landscape and wildlife book about the north. He says compared to his first polar bear book, the writing in 'Touch The Arctic' is more down to earth story telling and he feels the photography is far superior. Fast's first polar bear book became a Canadian best-seller with over 5000 copies sold.

Author and Photographer Dennis Fast holding his new book 'Touch The Arctic'