I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. Back in February, I talked a little bit about the books of my childhood. There were always books in my house. My mom read to us all the time and I still remember the excitement of the Scholastic book order. Truthfully, I still love the Scholastic flyer. I could have frequent flyer points at our library; I would have chosen a book over new bell bottoms any day of the week – still would. (Okay, perhaps I would no longer purchase bell bottoms under any circumstances!)
There was no question when my daughter was born that she would be surrounded by books. On Christmas and at birthdays she received books: Dr. Seuss and fairy tales, Winnie the Pooh and Junie B. Jones. We read to her until she could read to herself. And then we still read to her. We did the same with her younger brother. Then they read to each other and to kids who were younger. I never denied them a book. Never would. They love to read – and they are excellent readers. No surprise: they are excellent writers, too. My daughter once remarked that she didn’t understand people who didn’t like to read. I once took her and a school friend to Indigo and bought them both a book. It was the first book the friend had ever read. She was 12.
Sara Ralph over at the Nerdy Book Club has some wonderful suggestions for raising a reader.
A love of reading is a gift that keeps on giving.
The Ludic Reader 