Children who read frequently develop stronger reading skills and as a result perform better in school. It’s a proven fact that stresses the importance of getting our youth excited about getting lost in a good book.

Reading is Fun, a program aiming to get children interested in reading, held its kickoff Monday at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center. The entire week RIF will be setting up at schools and other spots around Selma to show children just how fun reading can be.

The program will be giving out to free books to any student that attends. Unfortunately, illiteracy is an ongoing battle in the United States. According to the Literary Project Foundation, 45 million people are functionally illiterate and read below a fifth grade level. Six out of 10 households do not buy a single book in a year.

Reading allows children to learn new words, visualize far away lands and use their imaginations.

When a child reads, they’re learning new things without even realizing it.

RIF has done a great job of incorporating book characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog and Franklin the Turtle into its meetings to make children more attentive.

Reading gives children something productive to do during the summer months while school is out. RIF will hold its program at the following places over the next few days:

• Wednesday, June 22 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Felix Heights
• Thursday, June 23 from 3-5 p.m. at YMCA of Selma-Dallas County
• Friday, June 24 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Phoenix School
• Monday, June 27 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Clark Elementary School
• Tuesday, June 28 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Rangedale Center
• Wednesday, June 29 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Valley Creek Center