~Emilie Buchwald~

Something I take entirely for granted is my ability to read. Reading and books have been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. For me, passing on the love of reading to my children has been very natural. There was no, “will I read to my children?” or “if I read to my children”. I just read to them everyday. Sometimes it’s because they’ve requested that I read to them. And there’s always reading time before bed time. I love hearing of other parents who taking reading to their kids seriously, as well.

From Lit(erature) On Fire:

We read to our son every night before bed.

Most nights we finish reading with the book I Love You Goodnight.

Often, I feel compelled to ask my son this one nerdy question before we read I Love You Goodnight. Tonight as we finished reading one of his favorite science books (he wants to be a mad scientist when he grows up), I opened I Love You Goodnight and asked him, “Do you know what this is?” He looked up at me with half a smile and half annoyance and said “Do I have to?”. I shook my head vigorously and he said with little enthusiasm, “A true story…” Yep.

I’m compelled to remind our Music City Bloggers readers about the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation that supplies children in Tennessee a free, hardcover book each month. Any child age five and under, in Tennessee, is eligible for this program. Go here to find your county’s Imagination Library and the contact for information for signing up for the program.

Also, Nashville Public Library’s website offers a wonderful “kids section“. Children can even get their own library cards. Contact your local branch for details.

He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend,
a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter.
By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently
divert and pleasantly entertain himself,
as in all weathers, as in all fortunes.
~ Barrow ~

When I look back, I am so impressed again
with the life-giving power of literature.
If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of
myself in the world, I would do that again by reading,
just as I did when I was young.
~ Maya Angelou ~

If you can read this, thank a teacher.
~ Anonymous Teacher ~