Reading | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

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“You may have tangible wealth untold,

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be –

I had a mother who read to me” –Strickland Gillilan

Tomorrow, March 9^th, is World Read-Aloud Day.

Around the world, organizations will be promoting the importance of books and reading aloud to children.

“The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived.” – Howard Pyle

It’s hard to believe that there are many places in the world (and even here in the United States) where children have NO books. I support a literary outreach program (www.bessthebookbus.org).

“No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.” –Mary Wortley Montagu

I’m not a big TV fan…most of the time I would rather read a book than watch TV. But sometimes we are meant to watch something to see something special and that is what happened last night. During the episode of The Bachelor, Brad and Chris visited The Henna School, a preschool, in South Africa, in need of many things. The Bachelor team donated some much needed equipment and funds…I’ve just sent them an email asking if they would like several copies of SHOW ME HOW! I’d love to donate my book because I think it would help the teachers provide the children with fun-filled educational activities…reading aloud the picture books, doing the simple craft project and perhaps participating in preparing the easy healthful recipes.

“Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.” –Richard Steele

Why is it so important to read to your child?

“The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book.” –Andre Maurois

So, when should you read to your child?

“The time to read is any time…no apparatus, no appointment of time and place is necessary.”– Holbrook Jackson

And what books should you read to your child?

“A house without books is like a room without windows.” –Heinrich Mann

If you visit my website, you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW, the unique resource that pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear. In honor of World Read-Aloud Day, I’m extending the half-price sale for another month AND there will be a WINNER of a CRAFTY EASTER BASKET, filled with safety scissors, non-toxic glue, construction paper and MORE. If you buy a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING between now and April 9^th, your name will automatically be entered in a drawing for the PRIZE and it will be mailed to you in time for your child to have it for Easter. Several people ordered copies during this past week, so I will be entering their names as well.

Please stop by tomorrow for WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WORDY WEDNESDAY. I’ll be reviewing another classic, ANGUS LOST.

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan in 1898. On the...

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“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” –Helen Keller

For me, faith in oneself is tied together with confidence in oneself…the belief that no matter what the challenge or task, we are up for it.

This is such an important lesson to teach our children and the picture book I’m recommending today from the 100 that appear in SHOW ME HOW, epitomizes this. Reading this story with your children can open up a discussion about many topics…death, overcoming obstacles and working together are only a few of them.

SWIMMY

Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

One day, a big hungry tuna fish swallows an entire school of little red fish. Swimmy, the only little black fish in that school, escapes because he is the fastest swimmer. Although he is very sad to have lost his family, he enjoys discovering the many wonders of the underwater world as he swims along. When he discovers another school of little red fish hiding in the shadows of some corals, Swimmy invites them to join him on his journey, but they are afraid to venture out of their safe haven because they will become prey to the large fish. Swimmy decides to fool the other sea creatures by teaching the little red fish to swim together, creating the illusion of a large fish with himself as the eye. This enables them all to leave their hiding place and enjoy the wonders of the ocean.

Swimmy’s speed enabled him to escape the hungry tuna, his color helped him to be the eye of the fish formation, and his ingenuity created the idea that would save his newly found school of little red fish. Our children have special qualities also and we must encourage them to value their own strengths.

Just 15 minutes a day is enough time to read a picture book to your child and that may be the most important 15 minutes you spend each day. Reading picture books to your child build’s self-esteem, develops pre-literacy skills, creates a life-long parent-child bond…and it’s FUN!

Need some direction regarding which books to choose to read to your child? SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING provides summaries of the 100 picture books every young child needs to hear. Don’t let another day go by without getting a copy of this valuable resource for your home…on sale now for only $22.50 with FREE SHIPPING (continental U.S. only). Visit my website for details.

I invite you to return tomorrow for HEALTHY HABIT THURSDAY.