Shana, a reading ambassador that inspires children to read

How come you became a reading ambassador?

”It began with our school librarian asking my teacher whether there was anyone who had turned sixteen already, which was because the City of Gothenburg’s Ung Extra project was looking for young people for placements. I was one of those who was sixteen, and my teacher suggested me. Then I had to tell them what my interests are, and I told them I like kids and reading. My mum has always made sure we do a lot of reading at home, and I have three younger brothers. After that they asked me if I wanted to be a reading ambassador, and that suited me perfectly.” 

What do you usually do at Läsklubben? 

”We think a lot about what the kids have liked before. Reading aloud usually works, so we begin with that. We choose two or three books, pull out a bunch of cushions and sit together to listen. Sometimes we might have a theme for the get-togethers – a while back we had a sports theme. So then we got out books about sport, read aloud from them and talked and asked questions about what we had read. When we’ve finished reading aloud, we might continue by making bookmarks or creating our own book covers. We try to tempt them to keep everything we do about books and reading.”

What challenges do you face in your work as reading ambassador?

”This generation is the big challenge. Many of them have grown up with a mobile phone in their hand, and are not used to books. That’s where the family makes a difference – if the kids are used to reading at home, it makes things easier. It can be difficult to get kids interested in books – you need to find the right book. Ideally something that gets into the subject right away. Some books with chapters take a while to get into, and kids without a reading habit can get bored.”

What are the most important characteristics of a good reading ambassador? 

”Patience. And you need a bit of creativity and imagination. You might have to help by sharing your own ideas or imaginings about the book you’ve read, so that you can invent or make something to do with that. And to give the book various positive characteristics. It’s also important that you approach kids with a calm voice and gentle movements – if you’re stressed, they’ll get stressed. Give kids the closeness they appreciate – if they don’t like us staff, they won’t want to be here.”

What are the advantages of being young when you work as a reading ambassador? 

”Kids usually look up to those who are older than they are, and I don’t mean adults but young people. If they see a Year 8 or 9 pupil engaged in reading and saying that it’s actually pretty cool, then they might give it a go. I’d also like to get all parents to realise that it’s really important for young people to read. It’s not just about reading, but also about the intimacy and security you feel with your parents through reading. Before when I read, my brother wouldn’t listen very much. Now he can bring me a book himself and ask me to read it with him. We’ve got closer that way.”

Text by: Annsofie Andersson

Read more about the projekt in the article A club to awaken the love of reading in Biskopsgården    

The project is funded by the Subregional Committee of Gothenburg. Read more on the Cultural Affairs Administration of Västra Götaland’s website.