Reading unleashes magic: students inspire children during reading day!

Reading unleashes magic: students inspire children during reading day!

On December 5, 2025, 14 committed students from the P-Seminar “Reading as a Superpower – Awakening a Passion for Books” from the Jakob-Brucker-Gymnasium in Kaufbeuren made a lively contribution to the nationwide reading day. Under the direction of Simone Frank, lectures were held at various schools in the region, which not only impressed the children but also the readers themselves. This annual event was held this year at Schrader Elementary School and Beethoven Elementary School.

What awaited the little listeners? The students read the humorous book “Zippel, the really true castle ghost” by Alex Rühle, where the children were able to marvel not only at the content but also at the pictures illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Reading aloud and looking at picture books went hand in hand and created a lively atmosphere in which the children enjoyed listening and stimulating their imagination.

Binding between generations

The idea behind reading day is to strengthen the exchange between generations and emphasize the importance of reading. “Reading is a key skill that has a decisive influence on education and life,” emphasizes the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and emphasizes that reading skills are of central importance for all areas of school and life. Children in Germany often start school with different language skills, which is why such initiatives are of great importance.

In order to make it easier for more children to have access to the world of books, numerous projects and initiatives have been set in motion throughout Germany. The reading day has been organized by DIE ZEIT, the Reading Foundation and the Deutsche Bahn Foundation since 2004, among others. This day is a high-profile sign of the importance of reading aloud - a simple but effective way to get children excited about books at an early age and develop their language skills.

Promote a fascination with stories

Another highlight of the event in Kaufbeuren was the fifth graders of the high school, who read “Oskar and the Mystery of the Disappearing Children” by Claudia Frieser to the younger children. Creative, AI-generated illustrations were also used, which further enriched the reading experience. The story follows young Oskar, who comes across a mysterious time travel portal through a letter from his late grandfather. These formats not only promote reading, but also curiosity and the desire to read yourself.

There are numerous program initiatives to support children and young people in their reading skills. The programs “Lesestart 1-2-3” and “MENTOR-Campus” are examples, as is the commitment to refugee children who are supposed to gain quicker access to the German language through projects. Such initiatives are not only active in schools and kindergartens, but also in libraries and other social institutions that are dedicated to this topic.

All of these measures together help create a strong foundation for future generations to be ready in the reading world. The BMBF therefore continues to invest in these projects, enabling children to have access to books and education regardless of their social background.