Life-long Reading Habit Is Hard to Beat

"Once upon a time..."

How many times, as a child, did you hear  that phrase while snuggled close to a parent?

If it was many times, you were, indeed, very blessed.

Children who have the love of reading books instilled in them from an early age have many advantages.

They find out there's a huge world out there, without ever leaving home. They discover people, places and things through reading.

 
My late mother  didn't cuddle with us much but, God bless that woman, she took my siblings and me on extremely important weekly excursions to the local library.


There was never too much money with a house filled with kids but we never knew it. We felt rich every time we left the library with a great big batch of "new" books.

I feel that children who learn to read early in life and grow to love books have a better crack at succeeding in school, too.

That early initiation into the world of books has resulted in a life-long love of books for all my siblings and myself.

Now, happily, I am a Grammie and my six-month-old  sweet pea settles comfortably in the crux of my arm while I read to her.

More often than not, she tries to grab the book and jam it into her mouth as she awaits the arrival of her first tooth. ha!

I'm so grateful to my Mom for all those trips to the library so long ago.

The little mama and baby bunny that sit on our kitchen table during the Easter season reminded me of all that.

WHAT KIND OF BOOKS DO YOU LOVE TO READ?

Mama and Baby Bunny

(Got this sweet little Mama Bunny and Baby at a yard sale for $1.00!)



"Mommy, will you read to me?"

How many of us have heard those words coming from the mouths of our kids? I'd venture to say most of us have heard the plea and answered it.

Reading is a life-long pursuit and hobby. Love of reading begins early in childhood.

My mother instilled a love of reading in all my siblings and me. While she rarely read aloud to us, she took us to the library weekly where we always walked out with fresh stacks of precious books. We'd see my Mom reading, too. Leading by example is a powerful learning tool.

For the rest of my life, no matter how difficult the times were financially, going to the library and getting new books always made me feel rich. The difficult times would pass, but the love of reading never did, thank goodness! Even today, it's easy to have a "smorgasbord" of books going at the same time. I'll read from one, put a bookmark in it, pick up another and take a "bite" out of it, and so on! It's a "delicious" past time!

Reading to children is immensely important, too, and helps instill a sense of love for the written word. I read to my children even before they were born! My son and daughter each had their own library of childrens' books in their rooms. They were rich in books and in the love of reading.

When your child or grandchild asks you to read to them, never pass-up the ability to inspire.

Books bring stories to life. Vivid images can jump off the page of a well-written book. Children who are good readers will do well in most school subjects. That's a good impetus to encourage reading.

When you hear a little one say "Can we read?," let her get comfy on your lap; enjoy your warm, beating heart; and snuggle close.

Then, let the reading begin!

WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE BOOK FROM CHILDHOOD?