KUCHING – The Storyteller Tour Programme has entered its second day at Taman Fitrah Kindergarten, continuing a week-long initiative designed to promote reading among young children.
The event is part of the nationwide Let’s Read Together 2026 campaign, which encourages Malaysians to dedicate time to reading together.
Running from 13 to 17 April, the programme will visit 11 kindergartens across Kuching. Each stop features interactive storytelling sessions led by facilitators, who use engaging narratives to capture children’s attention and spark their imagination.
Organisers believe that such activities are vital in nurturing early literacy and instilling a lifelong love of books.
Beyond the storytelling sessions, children are also receiving souvenirs in the form of storybooks provided by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
These books are intended to serve as both mementoes and practical tools, encouraging families to continue reading together at home.
Parents and teachers have welcomed the initiative, noting that access to free books helps strengthen reading habits and supports children’s learning outside the classroom.
The Jom Baca Bersama campaign, known in English as the Let’s Read Together programme, has become a regular fixture in Malaysia’s educational calendar.
It aims to build a culture of reading across communities by encouraging collective participation. Literacy advocates highlight that early exposure to books not only improves vocabulary and comprehension but also enhances creativity, empathy, and social skills.
Local educators in Kuching have praised the Storyteller Tour for its hands-on approach. They emphasise that storytelling is more than entertainment; it is a powerful educational tool that helps children develop listening skills, memory, and cultural awareness.
By combining fun with learning, the programme ensures that reading is seen as an enjoyable activity rather than a chore.
Parents attending the sessions have expressed gratitude for the initiative, pointing out that many households struggle to provide a variety of books for their children.
The distribution of storybooks helps bridge this gap, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore new stories and ideas.
The Sarawak State Library, which is spearheading the campaign, has called on the community to support the effort.
“Let’s all work together to foster a culture of reading and fun learning,” the organisers stated, reinforcing the importance of collective responsibility in shaping future generations.
As the Storyteller Tour continues its journey through Kuching’s kindergartens, the programme is expected to reach hundreds of children, leaving behind not only books but also lasting memories of stories shared.
The initiative reflects Sarawak’s broader commitment to education, cultural enrichment, and community development.
