Schoolchildren in Maaleh Adumim are joining together to make Israel's biggest-ever book, titled, 'The Giant's Book.'
Measuring nearly two meters tall and over one meter wide, it will be created by school children from over 13 schools in the Maaleh Madumim who will be given words to write and design. It is about a giant who can't find a book big enough to read.
A.H.A.V.A, which promotes English literacy in Israel, is behind the idea which is being used to launch the annual English Read-a-thon next week.
Children's author and illustrator Netanel Epstein, has pledged the front cover illustration for the book and will launch the read-a-thon with a question and answer session for the school children next week at the Nofei HaSelah School in the city January 10.
According to the organization, an NGO dedicated to promoting English literacy for children from a young age, only 39 percent of all Israelis in the 12th grade age group matriculated at a level that would enable their acceptance at a university.
"English is crucial for children to learn well at school," said A.H.A.V.A. director Gaila Cohen Morrison, a 30-year veteran English teacher. "It opens up a world of wider reading and opens up opportunities for them later on in life. We are delighted that Netanel Epstein has agreed to launch the read-a-thon and design our giant front cover," she added.
"By making Israel's biggest book we hope to capture the imagination of local school children and to inspire more interest and enjoyment of reading English," she said.
The annual Read-a-thon attracts hundreds of local school children, who are sponsored to read as many short English-language books as they can over the period of a month. The event culminates with a community party and award ceremony, this year to be held March 15.
Read-a-thon sponsors include Bank Hapoalim, Steimatsky, Remax, Burgers Bar, Aroma, Maaleh Adumim municipality, and more.