Supporting Literacy and the Reading Habit

I AM IN LOVE
Submitted by: Glynis Salmon

I don't know when it happened, I don't know how.
I don't know if it was the look... the smell… the touch… but I do know that when I got between the covers and opened up… I fell in love.

. . . and to think that I was only at the tender age of four or five years old. . . but as soon as my mind awoke to the ABC's and the Phonics of it all, I was in super-cali-fragi-listic-espiali-docious LOVE. I was um diddley-diddle-daah, the cat and the fiddle, tick-tock, the mouse ran up the clock - wonderfully, dreamily, excitingly in love. . . and I have never stopped loving the habit of READING ever since.
In fact, as I grew older, I fell even more deeply in love, developing a passionate, insatiable desire for reading, and I must admit, I indulge my taste in reading matter, most indiscriminately. I read every thing. . . the stories, the poems, the articles, the reference material, the academic enquiries, the how-to material, the motivational explorations, the religious discourse, the labels on a product… every and any blessed thing. Fiction and non-fiction, sense and non-sense, text books and general books, Playboy and the Bible, I read them all … morning, noon, and night . . . every chance I get.

I have fallen out of love, mind you - many times too - but not ever with a book. I have fallen out of love with company - boys and girls - the type who selfishly get upset with the light being on till odd hours in the morning; or get annoyed by the slightly-rustling sound of turning pages, and complain that I disturb their sleep, when in fact it is their complaints that disturb my reading. The said companions whom I have often had to look upon with a jaundiced eye, when they become unreasonable in their demand for my attention, at a time when I simply must, at the very least, finish the chapter (. . . which could, if I am clever, extend into many more chapters, before I yield, unwillingly, to their demands). Of course, by the time I close my book, in deference to their pestering, my belated welcome of their attentions is often greeted with a back turned to me in cold and frigid protest, or a mouth tightly scrunched in a pout of complaint.
Well… I can't deny . . . I LOVE TO READ. For when I first met Dick and Dora and Nip the dog, the three little pigs and Jeremy mouse; not to mention Jack and Jill, Little Red Riding Hood, The Wizard of Oz, fairies, elves and witches and other magical creations of my childhood literature . . .who could fault me for moving on to Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Marco Polo, Arabian Nights, Archie, Veronica and Betty and the journeys that led me to Around the World in 80 Days and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea?

Tell me, would you not celebrate, as the school years opened up pages and pages of literature, that had me delving into the realms of comprehension, critical analysis and the heights of literary consciousness, that propelled me to excellence in the subjects of English and Literature consistently, throughout my schooling?
Who among you cannot understand the therapeutic value of retreating from a hard day's work, to the creative imaginings, or the deep philosophisings, or the thoughtful research of an author?
Who it is that cannot appreciate the absolute joy and relaxation of being seated on the throne, in regal repose, releasing the mind to the subject matter of a magazine, newspaper or the label on the toothpaste or some other toiletry? Or conversely, the agony of finding yourself locked in the unfortunate position of retiring to the chamber without the appropriate reading matter to flush the mind with?
How can my one and only child not appreciate that she is my nearest and dearest - between one book and the next? Honestly folks, I don't understand. How can you not be in love? . . . In love with READING ?
How can you not want to travel the world and meet people, places and things in a first class mode of transport that is relatively inexpensive, faster than a concord and more exciting than a space shuttle?
How can you be sad, lonely or forlorn, when at the slight flick of a wrist, and a turn of a page, you can share the company of a counselor, motivator, healer, friend or a whole party of people and other animals?

I tell you, nothing satisfies my hunger more than reading, never mind how many snacks I may munch on in the process (. . . and If I could just remember that reading has no calories, I would forgo the treats and read my way to
slimness ) . . . but . . . life's like that and you can't remember everything.
Seriously though, I am in love and it is a serious thing. I love to read.

Reading for me is relaxing, energizing, fulfilling, learning, developing, sharing, reflecting, laughing, crying, searching, enjoying . . . an amazing experience of all of life's experiences . . . and the more I read, the more I want to read.
My only other desire is to summon up the discipline and the courage to immortalize my thoughts as an author in book format and catalogue my offering in the library of books available for all to read and enjoy.
Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited sends a Cupid's arrow to your mind, knowing that once smitten, you will be twice, thrice and many times bitten by the wondrous love of reading.

Carlong Publishers Website Launch

www.carlongpublishers.com
PRESS RELEASE, April 14, 2005

The Minister of Information, Senator The Hon. Burchell Whiteman delivered the main address at the
www. carlongpublishers.com Website Launch, on April 26, 2005 at our offices (Reading Resource Collection & Showroom), Carlong Publishers, 17 Ruthven Road, Kingston 10 at 6:00 pm.

Shirley Carby, Managing Director, Carlong Publishers caribbean Limited, delivers the address 'Log on to Carlong' at the www.carlongpublishers.com Website Launch	Bernadene Blake-McCalla, Marketing Representative, Carlong Publishers Caribbean Limited delivers the Vote of Thanks at the www.carlongpublishers.com Website Launch	Glynis Salmon, Marketing Manager of Carlong Publishers Limited, introduces the www.carlongpublishers. com Website.

Mr. Carl Carby, Executive Chairman. makes a special presentation, A Basket of Books" to Senator, The Hon, Burchell Whiteman, guest specker at the www.carlongpublishers.com Website Launch

The Hon, Burchell Whitman, makes his speech at the www.carlongpublishers.com Website Launch

The highlight of the launch was the introduction and presentation of the Carlong website,

www.carlongpublishers.com, featuring its full catalogue of Carlong publications, useful information on Jamaica and the Caribbean, developments in education nationally and regionally, links to other Publishing Book Industry & Education Industry Websites.

Carlong's website with its breadth of information and wide-ranging features is the first of its kind to be developed in the book industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

For over twenty years, Carlong Publishers has pioneered the development of many outstanding publications, distinguished by their careful planning, relevant content, sound pedagogy and aesthetic appeal, specially designed for use in early childhood, primary and secondary schools, and for general reading in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

A book publishing, marketing and distribution company, incorporated in 1990 as the successor company to Longman Jamaica Ltd., which was acquired by Jamaican entrepreneurs Carl and Shirley Carby from British Publishers, Longman Group Ltd. now Pearson Education Ltd. , Carlong takes pride in its dedication to the mission of being partners in the education process.

Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series

The Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series developed by Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited presents a NEW and interesting collection of books — fiction, biographies, short stories, novels, chapter books — featuring Caribbean life and culture in words and pictures, that will capture the reading interest of children everywhere.

This exciting series is written for children in the 8-12 age group,
about children in the same age group, by new and established authors across the Caribbean. The books are aimed at creating a greater awareness and appreciation of the unique and diverse character of our Caribbean, and stimulating the development of the reading habit.

Series Editor:

Hazel Campbell is one of the Caribbean's most distinguished writers and is the author of the latest book in the Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series Miss Bettina's House. She is also a radio and television scriptwriter and producer, and is currently engaged as a teacher of a creative writing course for children, at the Sir Phillip Sherlock Centre of the Creative Arts, University of the West Indies, Mona.

Carlong Welcomes New Writers

Through the years Carlong has helped to hone the authorship skills of scores of Caribbean teachers, educators and creative writers and have made a significant contribution to the development of a growing cadre of editors, type-compositors, proofreaders, graphic designers, illustrators and other highly skilled professionals who all contribute to the vibrant and emerging Caribbean book industry.

Join the Carlong team of the industry professionals and together let us work to develop a quality of publications that strengthen the educational capacity and build the cultural confidence of our Caribbean people.

CPIS LAUNCH

The Hon. Maxine Henry - Wilson, Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, (centre) heads the list of guests at the launch of CPIS Series

The Minister of Education Youth and Culture, the Hon. Maxine Henry Wilson delivered the main address at the launch of the Carlong Primary Integrated Studies Series (CPIS), on Tuesday, July 6, 2004, Carlong Publishers Caribbean Limited, Building 3, 17 Ruthven Road, Kingston 10, at 6:00 p.m. The launch Programme included an overview of the CPIS Series, by one of the series coordinator and author, Vilma McClennan.

In recognition of its groundbreaking, innovative, high quality and relevance to the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture's (MOEYC) new integrated curriculum for Grades 1 - 3 in Primary Schools, CPIS, has been adopted, by the MOEYC and was distributed to all Primary Schools across Jamaica in the school year, 2004 -2005. Copies of the books were also presented to the National Library, The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), The Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA), Caribbean Publishers Network (CAPNET) and the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ)

Nicklaus Bromfield, Marketing Representive, presents CPIS to BIAJ Representives, Steadman Fuller and Linda Speth.

In the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ) 2004 Book Industry Awards, Carlong emerged the top winner in the Best Primary Textbook Award category with the first publication in the series, Carlong Primary Integrated Studies: Getting to Know Me, by Authors - Vilma McClenan, Bernetta Porter, Eugenie Harrison, Sharon Neil and Marva Griffith-Green.

Sample copies of the books were distributed to key target groups islandwide.

AWARD WINNERS

Throughout the history of the Book Industry Association of Jamaica (BIAJ)'s biennial Book Industry Awards, Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited has emerged top winners in several categories of awards for their outstanding publications and service to the book industry.

At the BIAJ Book Industry Awards Ceremony, at the Hilton Hotel, Kingston, Carlong emerged top winners of multiple awards in the areas of publishing and service to the book industry. Best Primary Textbook Awards went to Carlong Primary Integrated Studies: Getting to Know Me by Authors - Vilma McClenan, Bernetta Porter, Eugenie Harrison, Sharon Neil, Marva Griffith-Green and CLAS: Other Times, Other Places, Other People by Authors Don Wilson Phyllis Coy, Ivy Mitchell; Best Children's Book Awards went to Carlong's Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series: Every Little thing Will Be All Right by Author Dianne Brown and Jojo's Treasure Hunt by Author Cherell Shelley-Robinson. Several Carlong Staff members were also recipients of Long Service Awards to the Book Industry.

Members of the Carlong Team proudly display their win of BIAJ Book Industry Awards for outstanding publishing achievement and service to the book industry at a recent Book Industry Association of Jamaica Awards Ceremony.