Reading Time: 5 minutes

There was no need to tell the students that something special was happening; they could feel it. From the moment they settled into place, eyes fixed and hands half-raised in anticipation, the atmosphere inside Spanish Town Infant School signalled that this was not an ordinary school day. What unfolded was more than a reading session; it was an experience in imagination, confidence, and connection.

Staged ahead of Read Across Jamaica Day, the engagement brought internationally recognised author Marley Dias face-to-face with eager young learners, in an initiative led by Massy Distribution, now transitioning to Acado Jamaica. The goal was simple but powerful: make reading come alive.

And it did.

Dias, whose advocacy for literacy began at just 10 years old, quickly found herself immersed in the energy of the room, an energy she described as both lively and focused. During the session, she also shared her story as an author, offering students a glimpse into her journey and her upcoming book, I Am the Dream Come True, set for release on June 2, 2026.

“The children were incredibly present and eager to participate,” she shared. “They asked thoughtful questions and really embraced the experience, even with the excitement of doing something different from their usual routine.”

For the young author, whose work has taken her across classrooms and countries, the visit carried an added layer of meaning rooted in her Jamaican heritage. But beyond that, it reinforced the deeper purpose behind her advocacy.

“It’s those connections that stay with you,” she said. “They remind you why this work matters.” That connection was visible throughout the session, not just in the storytelling, but in the confidence it sparked. Students spoke freely, laughed openly, and leaned fully into the moment, transforming what could have been a simple activity into something far more impactful.

It is this kind of shift in how reading is experienced that continues to drive the work of Dias and her mother, Dr Janice Johnson Dias. “In many spaces, reading is still seen as something you have to do rather than something you get to do,” she explained. “We want to change that narrative. Reading is exploration, it’s imagination, it’s freedom.”

Their message resonated strongly within the Jamaican context, where cultural perceptions of reading can often shape how children engage with books from an early age.

For organisers, the intention behind the initiative was equally deliberate. Janine Chen, CEO of Massy Distribution Jamaica, as the company transitions to Acado, underscored the importance of creating meaningful, lasting interventions rather than routine engagements.

“We’re always looking for meaningful ways to engage children, and storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have,” Chen said. “When the opportunity arose to collaborate with Marley during her time in Jamaica, it felt like a natural fit.”

She emphasised that literacy is not just a foundational skill, but a gateway to broader personal development. “Literacy helps to build confidence, curiosity, and the ability to think independently. Those are skills that extend far beyond the classroom,” she noted.

For Spanish Town Infant School, however, the moment carried even deeper significance.

This marks the third consecutive year the institution has been selected to participate in the initiative, something Principal Maxine Scarlett-Campbell describes as both an honour and a source of pride for the entire school community. “The Spanish Town Infant School prides itself on being associated with excellence,” she said. “To be selected by Massy Distribution, now transitioning to Acado, one of the largest and most respected distribution companies in the Caribbean, for the third consecutive year is truly a blessing.”

While previous visits have left lasting impressions, she noted that this years’ experience stood apart, largely due to the presence of Dias. “Our students always look forward to these sessions, but having an international author join the team has elevated the day into something extraordinary,” Scarlett-Campbell shared. “They were overjoyed. It was a proud and memorable moment for our school.”

“It was truly a privilege to host Marley Dias, an accomplished young author who has made an impact across cultures at such an early age. Experiences like this leave a lasting impression, and we are deeply appreciative of what was made possible for our students.”

By the end of the session, the formalities faded, replaced by laughter, movement, and the kind of excitement that cannot be scripted. The books may have closed, but the impact lingered, quietly shaping how these young students see reading, and perhaps, how they begin to see themselves.