Early Book Parades Spark Love of Reading
More than 1,000 young learners across the Virgin Islands took part in the 2026 Early Childhood Book Parades as part of Education Month, with colourful events held on Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Tortola. The Ministry of Education says the parades promote early literacy and community support for reading, welcoming nearly 1,000 students in Tortola alone.
The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports brought early literacy to life this month as more than one thousand young learners joined the 2026 Early Childhood Book Parades held across the Territory as part of Education Month activities. Colourful celebrations took place on Virgin Gorda on 10 March, Anegada on 16 March and Tortola on 24 March.
Students from early childhood centres dressed as characters from their favourite books and stories, parading through streets and community spaces to celebrate storytelling, imagination and the foundations of reading. Education Officer for Early Childhood Development Ms. Kimberly George said the annual parades are a reminder of how critical early literacy is in shaping future readers. “The early childhood book parades demonstrate the importance of our youngest learners and how critical it is to begin developing literacy from as early as three and four years old,” Ms.
George said. “It is not about them being able to read a book just yet, but about helping them understand the importance of books and the role they play in building the foundation for reading.” Participation was strong across the Territory, the Ministry reported, with the Tortola parade welcoming nearly 1,000 students and total turnout across all three islands exceeding 1,000 children.
Organisers and teachers noted increased community engagement this year, with many residents lining the parade routes to cheer on the youngsters. “The community came out in strong support this year. We saw many more persons along the streets cheering on our students, which shows the Territory’s commitment to early childhood education,” Ms.
She thanked teachers, parents and communities for helping make the events successful. Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro said the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s ongoing focus on strengthening literacy from the earliest stages. “Reading is one of the most fundamental skills a child can develop, and that journey begins long before a child enters primary school,” Honourable de Castro said.
She highlighted that some students even designed costumes based on stories they wrote themselves, illustrating how the activity can spark interests in both reading and writing. The Early Childhood Book Parades are part of the Territory’s annual Education Month, which promotes learning, creativity and student development across schools and early childhood centres.
The Ministry encourages parents and caregivers to continue reading with children at home and to engage with local early childhood programmes that support school readiness and lifelong learning.
Primary source: BVI Government