Big Read Roadshow Visits BVI Schools
Hundreds of primary school students across the British Virgin Islands will participate in the Big Read Roadshow during Reading Is Fun Week. Powered by Ogier and the BVI Literary Arts Festival, the initiative brings local authors and volunteers to ten schools to promote literacy. Participating institutions will also receive donations of children's books to build classroom libraries.
Hundreds of primary school students across the British Virgin Islands are set to experience the magic of storytelling through the Big Read Roadshow, a new literacy campaign leading up to the 2026 BVI Literary Arts Festival. Powered by Ogier, the five-day roadshow will visit 10 primary schools across the Territory during Reading Is Fun Week, scheduled for October 5 to 9.
The initiative expands the festival's Literary Wonderland Children's Programme by bringing books, educators, and authors directly into local classrooms. Throughout the week, teams composed of local children's authors, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College faculty and students, festival committee members, and Ogier employee volunteers will lead interactive read-aloud sessions and creative discussions.
Participating schools will also receive book donations to enrich their classroom and library collections. Rochelle Smith, member of the BVI Lit Fest Organising Committee and Director of the Jennie N. Wheatley Institute for Virgin Islands Studies at HLSCC, highlighted the significance of cultural representation in youth literature. "The Big Read Roadshow is about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the power of stories, connect with authors who look and sound like them, and understand that reading can open doors to limitless possibilities," Smith said.
She noted that organisers wanted to start the journey to the 2026 festival with the Territory's youngest learners under the upcoming festival theme, "Mouth Open, Story Jump Out." Nicholas Brookes, practice partner at Ogier in the BVI, noted that the initiative reflects the firm's ongoing commitment to community engagement and education.
He explained that reading plays a vital role in lifelong learning, confidence, and personal opportunity, adding that volunteers are eager to help create meaningful reading experiences for youth across the islands. The roadshow serves as the first official milestone leading up to the BVI Lit Fest 2026, which is scheduled to take place from November 5 to 8, 2026.
Organisers encourage residents and educators seeking further details about the festival and upcoming literacy events to visit bvilitfest.com.
Primary source: Guavaberry