I am a reader. I crave a good book, magazine, textbook, journal article...even a blog post. Reading is a part of me. The stories I have read, characters I have come to know, and facts I have absorbed are part of my history.
I didn't develop this passion on my own. Many people along the way guided me.
They made me a reader.
Their love for books was shared with me at a very early age. The value and fun of reading was modeled to me almost daily.
Until recently, I thought of this as the norm. I thought all children grew up with parents, grandparents, and siblings reading to them...showing them what a joy diving into a book could be.
I have discovered I am incredibly wrong! Many of my friends did not develop a love of reading until they were much older. Many struggled in school. Few share fond memories of favorite childhood books or stories. Hearing these reflections breaks my heart. Everyone should come to know the warm feeling after hearing a good story...as a child.
I decided to start this blog to pass on my love for all things children's literature. To share books I have recently discovered and those I have treasured for years. I want to help parents find engaging books, for all ages, to motivate and encourage their children to read.
The book pictured above is one of my most treasured possessions. It is the fairy tale book my great-grandmother read to my brother, sister, and I when we were very young. Many times during the week we would all pile in her lap to hear our favorites again and again. When we began to outgrow her lap and read on our own Granny handed this book down to us. The inscription inside says...
To My Great Grands,
I give this book. Remembering the many times you sat on my lap, all in the chair, and I read the stories you selected.
Now-read to each other or to someone else and remember how much your Granny Gert Hile loves you!
July 11, 1980
Her message was clear...read...read to each other...read to someone...keep making readers.
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