As a retired librarian ( 39 years in the public library, 27 of which I worked with children) this warmed my heart. I read thousands of books to my child, not counting the hundreds I read out loud at story time when she was in utero!
Because our grandkids live in Thailand, we send a Christmas box each year. Following our mothers’ practice of giving us books as we grew up and giving their grandchildren (our kids) books as they grew, we include books in every box we send throughout the year. One year we may have overdone it on the books as our granddaughter, who was perhaps six at the time, asked me shyly, “Next time, Grandma, could you send something NOT books?” We did.
But this year’s box included many books for both of them. We always read the books before sending so we can talk about the story or subject with them. I have to start my reading earlier each year as they move into the next reading level. No more quick reads for Grandma and Grandpa.
I grew up in a house of readers and a trip to the library was a weekly treat. My grade school librarian, Mrs. Ihnken, further instilled my love of reading. Imagine my excitement at a book signing and talk by Alice Hoffman, when she started talking about the school librarian who had such an influence on her growing up. This librarian was none other than Mrs. Ihnken. My sister and I nearly fell out of our chairs.
I started doing this Christmas morning after reading about the idea in your column. Thanks!
You should also highlight the Dolly Parton initiative to get books into every household. The Imagination Library is a great resource in many communities:
My mother was a prolific reader…and while we didn’t have the best relationship, she did instill in me a love of reading! While I don’t recall specifically being read to as a young child, I’m sure I must of been. I loved escaping into a world created by words. My favorite book to this day and one I remember reading repeatedly was “Island of the Blue Dolphin”. From the time my two daughters were born, reading was a constant activity..including reading to them starting when they were infants. This was long before knowing about your Christmas literacy campaign. But since then, every year at Christmas there is a wrapped book at the foot of each of my grandsons’ bed. While I’m not always able to be there with them on Christmas morning, my daughters have carried on the tradition of unwrapping and reading the book before anything else (except for maybe making that first cup of coffee ). Thank you Amy, for all that you do to promote literacy! Wishing you all the best for the holidays!
I’ve been a lifelong reader and treasure the relationships it has fostered. Reading books and passing them off to my dad to read and later discuss, helped develop a common ground for the two of us as I became a young adult. My bookclub buddies have become dear friends over the years. Developing and deepening friendships is an unexpected positive “side effect” of reading. Happy holidays!
I just got home from Christmas shopping. Got lots of presents, but I spent the most at our local bookstore. Every godchild has a boom coming as do my closest friends. Reading is so important.
As a retired librarian ( 39 years in the public library, 27 of which I worked with children) this warmed my heart. I read thousands of books to my child, not counting the hundreds I read out loud at story time when she was in utero!
Because our grandkids live in Thailand, we send a Christmas box each year. Following our mothers’ practice of giving us books as we grew up and giving their grandchildren (our kids) books as they grew, we include books in every box we send throughout the year. One year we may have overdone it on the books as our granddaughter, who was perhaps six at the time, asked me shyly, “Next time, Grandma, could you send something NOT books?” We did.
But this year’s box included many books for both of them. We always read the books before sending so we can talk about the story or subject with them. I have to start my reading earlier each year as they move into the next reading level. No more quick reads for Grandma and Grandpa.
I grew up in a house of readers and a trip to the library was a weekly treat. My grade school librarian, Mrs. Ihnken, further instilled my love of reading. Imagine my excitement at a book signing and talk by Alice Hoffman, when she started talking about the school librarian who had such an influence on her growing up. This librarian was none other than Mrs. Ihnken. My sister and I nearly fell out of our chairs.
I started doing this Christmas morning after reading about the idea in your column. Thanks!
You should also highlight the Dolly Parton initiative to get books into every household. The Imagination Library is a great resource in many communities:
https://imaginationlibrary.com/
My mother was a prolific reader…and while we didn’t have the best relationship, she did instill in me a love of reading! While I don’t recall specifically being read to as a young child, I’m sure I must of been. I loved escaping into a world created by words. My favorite book to this day and one I remember reading repeatedly was “Island of the Blue Dolphin”. From the time my two daughters were born, reading was a constant activity..including reading to them starting when they were infants. This was long before knowing about your Christmas literacy campaign. But since then, every year at Christmas there is a wrapped book at the foot of each of my grandsons’ bed. While I’m not always able to be there with them on Christmas morning, my daughters have carried on the tradition of unwrapping and reading the book before anything else (except for maybe making that first cup of coffee ). Thank you Amy, for all that you do to promote literacy! Wishing you all the best for the holidays!
I’ve been a lifelong reader and treasure the relationships it has fostered. Reading books and passing them off to my dad to read and later discuss, helped develop a common ground for the two of us as I became a young adult. My bookclub buddies have become dear friends over the years. Developing and deepening friendships is an unexpected positive “side effect” of reading. Happy holidays!
I just got home from Christmas shopping. Got lots of presents, but I spent the most at our local bookstore. Every godchild has a boom coming as do my closest friends. Reading is so important.
I love everything about this! I hope you & your family have a very Merry Christmas!
Loved reading this Amy! BRAVO to you for
promoting the value of literacy and life long readers and learners!