 |
History |
 |
| |
In 1997, Judy Bergsma was a Sunday school teacher from
Kentwood , MI who was noticed for reading to her young
students with great expression. She was encouraged to take
her passion for children’s story telling to the small
screen, and produced a pilot television episode in the
studios of
WKTV with a live audience comprised of her own young
children and their friends. The pilot was a success, and
there was a school-wide contest to give the show a name. The
Reading Train was chosen among the entries, and plans were
put in place to begin regular production.
Over 11,000 school children have appeared on The Reading
Train since that first show in 1997. Presented to schools as
a fun and educational field trip, teachers have come to
anticipate their classroom’s visit and treasure the
experience of a cross-discipline offering.
Numerous authors and other special guests have appeared,
including Patricia Polacco, Crystal Bowman, Diane Blain,
Kevin Kammerand, Shirley Neitzel, Kent District Librarians,
Paws with a Cause, Authentic Bagpipers, Beekeepers, Civil
War Reenactors, Story Spinners, Frederick Meijer Gardens,
Blandford Nature Center and others.
The Reading Train’s popularity has exploded!
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
