BIDDEFORD — The Saco-Biddeford Community Literacy Team celebrated International Literacy Day on Sunday at Mechanics Park and provided children a fun atmosphere while also encouraging them to read.

The newly formed team focuses on literacy in younger children, said Mary Bellavance, co-chair of the organization, so the event was centered around children who might not have started school yet. 

Parents, children and the organization members congregated at Saco River Walk, near the Run of the Mill parking lot, with each child holding a favorite book. 

After a small speech from team member Julie Smyth, the director of curriculum and instruction at the Saco School Department, the group walked over to Mechanics Park, right across the bridge, where tents and snacks were set up for the group. 

“Think of any place in the world,” Smyth said to the children. “Wherever you are thinking, that place is celebrating Literacy Day.”

A table of free books was set up for people to browse, some of which were donated by Altrusa International of Greater Biddeford-Saco, a nonprofit organization.

Sharon Staz, a member of Altrusa, said that the organization was founded about 40 years ago and also focuses on literacy. She added that she’s happy to see the community literacy team form.

“We think this is great,” said Staz. “We hope to be a part of it and see it grow.”

The community literacy team members were handing out flyers that had tips and techniques on how parents can help their children gain literary skills before starting school.

Nicky Braley, the team’s secretary and literacy coach at Young School in Saco, said that Maine as a whole is quite high in promoting early literacy, but that can always be improved.

“The idea behind our organization is that we introduce books or reading aloud to all children, especially children who aren’t in school yet,” Braley said. 

Some ways parents can help is by singing to their children, read aloud to them, and pointing out letters of their children’s names whenever they see them, according to the team’s “early literacy tips” flyer.

“It’s so important, getting that vocabulary,” Braley added. “And rereading books, too. You might be like, ‘I’ve read Goodnight, Moon 50 times already!’ But if kids are enjoying it, get that in.”

Deanna McNamara, who is also the children’s librarian at McArthur Library in Biddeford, said that she thinks this organization is a great way for the community to model for younger children, so they will grow up with that desire and love of reading.

“Do fun things so that kids get a fun experience surrounding it,” she said. 

The community literacy team will be holding more events this fall, including weekly interactive programs, like Toddler Time, which meets at McArthur Library every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and is geared for children between 18 and 36 months. 

“Parents hear that message we send out, but I just wonder if they just kind of associate literacy with school,” said Jessica Cook, member of the team and literary coach at Governor John Fairfield School in Saco. “We’re hoping to give more resources to them.”

Cook added that she loves bringing the Saco and Biddeford communities together through this kind of organization.

The event offered a “Story Walk,” which combined exercise and reading into one activity. Signs that each had one section of a story began at the front of the park. 

Children could follow along the trail and read each sign to finish the story, many  of the childlren were excited to do so, asking organizers to help them.

Bellavance and Brooke Palmer, who is also a co-chair of the team, said that if people want to get involved, they can donate books or volunteer at future events.

“Someone at school was telling me about their kid’s childhood books that they weren’t reading anymore,” Bellavance said. “We’d love to take those.”

Braley said that the organization was grateful to Hannaford’s for providing snacks and Mary Lee Taylor Photography for donating some time to take pictures of the group. 

To get involved or find out about upcoming events, check out the team’s Facebook page. For more information about donating books, email Bellavance mbellavance@biddefordschools.me or Palmer at bpalmer@dyer.me.lib.us.

— Catherine Bart can be reached at cbart@mainelymediallc.com or 780-9029.