The Magic of Reading | Kaylie Peckham | TEDxKids@ElCajon

Summary

The speaker shares a personal story about discovering a love for reading through the Harry Potter series. Initially uninterested in books, they were captivated by the magic within the pages, which transformed their perspective on reading. Inspired, the speaker organized a World Book Day celebration at their school, encouraging students to dress up in Hogwarts house colors and participate in reading challenges. The event was a success, and the speaker hopes it sparked a similar love for reading in others. They plan to continue their journey with the Percy Jackson series.

Takeaways

• 📖 The speaker initially found reading boring until they discovered the Harry Potter series.
• ✨ Opening a Harry Potter book sparked a newfound love for reading in the speaker.
• 🎥 While the speaker enjoys YouTube and Netflix, they now appreciate how reading stimulates imagination.
• 🧘‍♀️ Reading helps the speaker escape from daily problems and transports them to another world.
• ⚡ The speaker’s reading skills improved after getting hooked on Harry Potter, as if by magic.
• 📚 The speaker wrote to their principal about organizing a World Book Day celebration.
• 🎤 Despite feeling nervous, the speaker successfully presented the idea to the school's staff.
• 🧙‍♂️ The school celebrated World Book Day on April 26, 2017, with students dressing up in Hogwarts house colors.
• 🏆 A reading contest was organized to encourage students to read more, using reading logs and a tracking board.
• 📅 The speaker hopes that this event inspired others to discover the magic of books, and they’re now starting Percy Jackson.

Q & A

What sparked the speaker's interest in reading?

The speaker's interest in reading was sparked by hearing their mom and brother discussing the Harry Potter series.

How did the speaker feel after starting to read Harry Potter?

The speaker felt like the magic from the book fell into their life, and they suddenly began to love reading.

Does the speaker still enjoy watching YouTube and Netflix?

Yes, the speaker still enjoys watching YouTube and Netflix, but they've learned to appreciate reading as a way to paint a picture in their mind.

How does the speaker describe the impact of reading?

The speaker describes reading as a way to escape their body and any problems they might have had during the day.

What comparison does the speaker make about reading after discovering Harry Potter?

The speaker compares reading Harry Potter to being cast under a spell, making them suddenly good at reading.

What initiative did the speaker take at their school?

The speaker took the initiative to suggest celebrating World Book Day at school, incorporating elements from Harry Potter.

How did the speaker's principal react to the idea of celebrating World Book Day?

The principal loved the speaker's idea and told them they would be leading the whole event.

What activities were planned for World Book Day at the speaker's school?

The activities included students dressing up in the colors of their Hogwarts house, taking a test to determine their house, bringing wands, and participating in a reading contest.

How did the students participate in the World Book Day celebration?

Many students dressed up in their Hogwarts house colors, wore school robes, and some discussed their love for Harry Potter during recess.

What is the speaker's hope for the World Book Day celebration?

The speaker hopes that the celebration helped other kids find the magic hidden in books, just like they did.