World Read Aloud Day celebrated in Bath

On February 24th, over thirty-one million people online, and one million more throughout eighty-two countries celebrate World Read Aloud Day. At the Bath Branch of the Rockbridge Regional Library a small group gathered to share a children’s book that had also been sent as a gift to a group of children in Iraq. Ronda Clayton, assistant branch manager started off the reading, and was followed by Rebecca, Amber, Matthew and Easton.

“New Day, New Friends, by C. Alexander London, As Rabbit ran home he heard a tree making the strangest sound, ‘No good, no good, no good’, said the tree. Rabbit was puzzled. Why was the tree repeating itself? Trees were not meant to talk. He approached the tree. When he looked up he saw monkey high up in the branches, all tangled up.” As the story continues Monkey tries to deny to Rabbit that he is in any kind of trouble. But soon enough it’s clear that Monkey who is usually so smart, has been trying to fly a kite on a day that was not good for that. The readers take it from there. “Monkey did not want to admit that he had gotten stuck and tangled. Monkeys were supposed to be clever, so he yelled at Rabbit instead. “Hop along little Rabbit, this is monkey business and no concern of yours. Monkey was rude that Rabbit started to hop away, but he heard Monkey wiggling. “No good, no good, no good monkey muttered to himself again, tangled even worse than before. Rabbit came back.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Rabbit asked. The wind blew a strong gust that it shook the whole tree and shook Monkey with it. “ I’m stuck!” Monkey cried out, “Could you please help me, please?” Rabbit liked to be helpful. Back at the rabbit warren he carried carrots, and plucked thorns out of paws, and helped the other rabbits with their multiplication tables, but he had never helped a monkey who was stuck in a tree. He didn’t know what to do. “Monkey”, said Rabbit,” I’m not clever like you are. I cannot climb trees. Could you use your cleverness, and tell me what to do?” Monkey smiled. He liked to use his cleverness. “Rabbit,” said Monkey. “Use your teeth to chew through the string and set me free.” “But how will I ever get up to where you are?” Rabbit asked.. “That’s easy,” said Monkey, “Use your kite. ”“But it’s to windy to fly a kite.”   “Exactly” said Monkey, ”That’s how I got into this mess!”

During their World Read Aloud Day story, these readers are leaving their listeners in suspense. Monkey is tangled in a tree with a kite, while Rabbit is willing to help, but a little unsure of what to do. The rest of the story will be Part Two of this pair, and Allegheny Mountain Radio, and Rockbridge Regional Library appreciate your joining them to celebrate World Read Aloud Day.

Story By

Bonnie Ralston

Bonnie Ralston is the Assistant Station Coordinator at WVLS and a Highland County news reporter. She began volunteering at Allegheny Mountain Radio in the fall of 2005. In 2006 she became an AMR employee and worked in Bath County for eight years as the WCHG Station Coordinator and then as the news reporter there. She began working in radio while in college and has stayed connected to radio, in one way or another, for more than thirty years. She grew up in Staunton, Virginia, while spending a lot of time on her family’s farm in Deerfield, Virginia. She enjoys spending time outside, watching old TV shows and movies and tending to her chickens.

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