On Friday, First Lady Cecile de Jongh read to four classes at the George Wiley Headstart 2 Center in Tutu Valley, St. Thomas. The First Lady read the children’s books: A Caribbean Journey from A to Y (Read and Discover What Happened to the Z) by Mario Picayo and The Fisherman’s Horn by Phillis and David Gershator. Both books were published through the First Lady’s children’s Christmas book initiative and were distributed to thousands of children during previous holiday seasons.

Approximately 60 children participated in the story hour with the first lady on Friday and sang songs together.

“I always enjoy visiting children to read books that spark the imagination and create new dialogue and mutual appreciation for the world around us. Today, we spent some time together reading a few books that were specifically created with the children of the Virgin Islands in mind, and it was a pleasure to embrace the opportunity and celebrate the magic of learning and the benefits of reading,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady is the Big Read spokesperson for the Virgin Islands and encourages parents, teachers, and community members to spend time reading with children as an important part of building toward their future academic success and personal enrichment.

The First Lady was joined by teachers: Kishma Faulkner, Lavern Freeman, Shennice Joseph, Taschena King, Demetria Mayers, Melva Richardson, Joanne Turnbull, and Ywardia Wesselhoft.

A copy of each book was donated by Mrs. de Jongh to the Headstart center.