Here’s one way to get children interested in reading a book — raffle off the main character.
That’s how April 4 became “Humphrey the Hamster Day” in Derby.
Mayor Anthony Staffieri sent Principal Christine DiGrazia a proclamation saying so in honor of Bradley School’s month-long “One School One Read” program, which kicked off Thursday during a special celebration for students, staff, and the guest of honor: Humphrey himself.
During the month, students will read the same book in school and at home, “The World According to Humphrey,” by Emmy award-winning children’s author Betty Birney, and are encouraged to answer questions after each chapter for the chance to gain raffle tickets.
Humphrey will be raffled off to one lucky student on the last day of the program April 30.
(For parents not so keen on new rodent friends in the home, to the victor goes a Zhu Zhu Pet toy prize).
The book, made up of 15 short chapters, is narrated by a hamster, Humphrey, as he is plucked from the pet store to fill the role of classroom pet for an elementary school.
Bradley staff will be caring for the golden hamster in Humphrey’s likeness before the raffle.
“We thought it would be exciting and encouraging to get a real life hamster. He’ll be visiting each classroom in his new home while (the kids) are reading,” said Deb Zaleha, a school reading specialist.
Each family will get a copy of the book and a bookmark to take home for the duration of the month.
After that, the books will be passed along to another district so another group of students can participate in “One School One Read.”
“Redding Elementary did the same program, with a grant, and part of it was they had to pay the books forward to another school, which they did to us,” Zaleha said. “We will be doing the same thing when we’re done.”
DiGrazia said Bradley staff has not yet decided which school will get the books next.
During the celebration, staff sang along to a special “Humphrey” theme song written by music teacher Maureen McGovern, and a personal video from Birney to Bradley School was played.