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Story and Video: Ohio County Schools Students Bring Books To Life At Literature Fair

WHEELING - There are children who like to read - even when it's just for fun, and they really don't have to do it.

There were 180 elementary school students from Ohio County Schools who participated in the school district's literature fair on Friday, and their efforts were outside of regular schoolwork.

The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Reading Association.

"Every kiddo here placed in their school fair, and is here at our county fair today," explained Karin Butyn, director of strategic communication and related arts. "Several kids who receive first and second place finishes today will move on to the regional fair at West Liberty University."

That event takes place early next month.

Elementary schools typically offer the opportunity to participate in the literature fair to students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

"Students pick a book they like, and they truly delve into it," Butyn continued. "They look at the plot, the conflict, the characters, and they present on that project to a local community judge.

"You will see students here presenting on books like 'Dog Man,' and 'Finding Betty Crocker.' We have a wide variety of categories, books and projects, and this year is our biggest year ever with 180 projects at the county level."

Students are there because they want to participate.

"They are doing it for fun, absolutely," Butyn said. "It just goes to show how important reading is to elementary age students both in and out of school. There is so much investment in things like this. You can tell that kids work so hard, and that families work really hard to help their kiddos understand their projects. And we see a lot of smiling faces today."

Halas Thomas, a first-grade student at Woodsdale Elementary, is just learning to read. She likes the book, "The Wizard of Oz," and dressed the part in a gingham dress and sparkly shoes - though they were silver, not ruby slippers.

"I really like it. I like the story, and I like the characters," she said. "She (Dorothy) wants to find a way to get back home, but she helps her friends. I want to help everybody, too."

Thomas has both read the book and seen the movie.

"I think I like the movie better," she said.

Thomas termed the book "a little strange" in its portrayal of some characters.

"I like how the author's purpose was probably to get kids to read and have fun reading," she said.

Maddox Church, a third-grade student at Warwood Elementary, also dressed like the proper 1900s gentleman in a suit and matching hat as he spoke about the book he chose, "I Survived The Sinking Of The Titanic."

"I wanted to read more about it and see what happened when it sank," he said.

He likes both history and reading. What he learned from the book about the Titanic was that only women in children were permitted into the lifeboats.

Church was asked if he thought that was fair. He shook his head no.