Picture Books that Adults Will Love, Too!

Reading is an important skill. Parents who want to raise an avid reader need to take the time to read lots of stories to their children. It is also a good idea to let your child see you reading. Children often imitate the behaviors they see their parent’s doing. Check out some of these children’s books that adults will love, too! Reading books with your child can be a rewarding experience. It is a nice way to spend time together and share a hobby that you both enjoy. Things can become a bit maddening, however, when a child insists upon … Continue reading →

Getting Older Children to Read for Fun

Reading books starts out as something purely for pleasure. When our children are small, we read wonderful, colorful storybooks full of rhymes and rhythmic words and delightful stories. Once a child starts school, reading becomes increasingly about “work”—the work of academics. There are more and more books that HAVE to be read and, before long, a child who loved to read might turn into someone who dreads and hates it. While some children are just naturally passionate and voracious readers, some might need some encouragement to continue reading for pleasure as they move through the upper elementary, middle school and … Continue reading →

You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You

Tyler and I enjoy reading together. Reading has always been a part of his life. I firmly believe that the reason he reads so well is because I’ve always had reading material sprinkled around the house. He assumed that everyone had reading blocks at their house and was surprised to find out this is not the case. Initially for our reading block, I read to him. When he started reading independently, he would read a few books to himself while I read a few pages from one of my books and then I would read a book to him. The … Continue reading →

How About a Family Book Club?

There seems to be an abundance of family activity suggestions for families with young children—but what about “tweeners” and teens? Here’s a suggestion for starting a family book club that just might get everyone reading and relating (with some debating thrown in for good measure!)— If your middle or high schoolers are already reading a book in school, it might be fun for mom and/or dad to read the same book and then you can have some conversations and debates about the book at home. Middle and high school reading lists are increasingly sophisticated and this might give you the … Continue reading →

Encouraging Reading–Why Not Read to the Cat?

At a nearby public library, they have an activity for beginning readers–several “therapy” cats are brought in and young readers get to stop by the library and “read” their favorite books to the cats. I think it is a fabulous idea for the newly reading. It reminded me of when my own children were beginning readers and would read to the cat, younger siblings, the fish, and even rose bushes in the flower garden! We didn’t have a dog at the time, but I could surely see how a trusty, faithful dog might be a fine reading companion as well. … Continue reading →

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

I was wandering around the children’s section of the library last week. I must have looked confused because the librarian walked over to me and asked if she could help me. I was trying to find some books for Tyler. I love having a gifted child but they don’t come with instructions and I am finding it harder and harder to figure out just what it is I am supposed to do with the kid. Take books for instance. He’s reading above his level and finding books that he likes is hard. I usually end up getting books that are … Continue reading →

Effective School Reading Programs

The importance of instilling a love of reading in my son Tyler is something I take very serious. I am fortunate to have a child who loves reading and being read to. With a mother who is not only a writer but an avid reader you might imagine he would probably love reading. Books and reading have always been a part of his life and like a lot of parents I started reading to him before he was born. Now, that he can read well and independently and he’s just five, well I am sooooo proud of him. Will a … Continue reading →

Finding Books for Family Storytime

The benefits of reading to and with your child cannot be understated. I literally started reading to Tyler while he was still in the womb. His first words weren’t the usual mama and daddy, it was library and Books a Million. Okay maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but the point is, reading has been an integral part of Tyler’s life from the beginning and it has paid off in big ways. I’m continuously amazed at how well he reads at the tender age of five. If he misbehaves and I tell him he can’t watch TV, no big deal. But … Continue reading →

Great Books for Teenagers

Getting your teenager to read outside of a school assignment can be difficult. The key is to find the right book. Here is a list of twenty books some classics and others more contemporary. At least one of them should appeal to your teenager. Brian’s Hunt by Gary Paulsen This continues the story of Brian from Paulsen’s earlier book “Hatchet”. Brian returns to the wilderness where he finds a wounded dog and learns that his Cree Indian friends have been attacked by a savage bear. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas For Edmond Dantes life is great until … Continue reading →

Great Books For Your 7th or 8th Grader

Take your young teen to your local library this summer and check out some of these great titles. Read my recent blog to learn about the importance of summer reading programs and how they can benefit your child. Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Tom Sawyer is a lovable rogue who is constantly getting into trouble. This book outlines his adventures with his best friend Huck as he runs away finds buried treasure, and even attends his own funeral. Every boy (and girl) will be able to relate to Tom. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko This … Continue reading →