Reading is FUNdamental

Posted on July 16, 2012 by

27 Comments

20120716-005005.jpg It is a regular site in my home. To see my three kiddos sitting together on the couch with books. My daughter often reads to her brothers. I often sit with them. Sometimes I read to them. Sometimes I let them “read” to me (my daughter reads well…but she still loves being read to).

It is a gift to introduce your children to the joy of books.

I once heard someone say that he doesn’t read to his kids. It hurt my heart. The reason he didn’t read to them? Not because he didn’t have time. Not because he didn’t enjoy it. No. It was just too “frustrating” for him.

Ah. So tragic.

Reading with kids is among the greatest joys. I derive more pleasure from sharing a story with my children than nearly any other family activity.

We are a family that reads.

As a family, we are reading through L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. My kids love it. They’ve never seen the Judy Garland movie. So, they are hearing the story with fresh ears. Without the pictures of what Dorothy was made to look like.

What are you reading as a family? Do you read together? What is your favorite summertime book?

I think it’s just about time for a give-away!

Starting NOW you may enter to win one item from my ETSY shop. (It’s called “Inspired Novelties”…all items are inspired by literature and the people who write that literature). Remember, 50% of all the money I bring in from my Etsy shop goes to The Manasseh Project for the whole month of July.

Here’s how you enter.

1. Comment on this blog post answering the questions above.

2. Subscribe to this blog to get it in your email box (look to the right of this post). Leave a comment telling me you subscribed.

3. Share this post on Facebook. Tag me in the post so I see that you did it!

4. “Like” me on Facebook by visiting HERE. If you already like me there, tell me in a comment below.

5. “Pin” one of the items from Inspired Novelties on your Pinterest board. Add the link to that pin in a comment.

BONUS!  Here’s a shameless plug. I’m trying to raise as many funds as I can for The Manasseh Project. So…if you purchase something from my Etsy shop, you will get 5 bonus points toward winning a free item. You can’t beat that. If you have already purchased something this month (July, 2012), leave a comment reminding me and you will get the 5 bonus points. That’s 5 extra points for each purchase. Not too shabby.

Ready? Go!

The winner will be announced on Wednesday. You have from now until Tuesday, July 17 at 11:32 pm to enter.

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27 Comments on “Reading is FUNdamental”

  1. Isaac’s favorite book – that he always chooses at least 10 times a day is “Big Red Barn” by Margaret Wise Brown. But a book that I am reading aloud to him (usually while he’s playing – as he doesn’t like to sit still for long) is Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and “James Herriot’s Treasury for Children” 🙂 I enjoy reading books that are a little too old for him during some times of the day just because they are more entertaining to me LOL. He often sits still for about one or two (maybe) children’s books per day that are more appropriate for his age, so at first I was frustrated too because I wanted to have a nice reading time for hours on end with him hehe 🙂 But when I decided to just keep reading even though he wasn’t necessarily paying attention to every word it became more enjoyable for both of us 🙂

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    • Hope, I think it’s great that you read to Isaac while he’s playing! So much better than TV for background noise. He’s absorbing so much! You’re a really great mom. 🙂

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    • 1-I love Charlotte’s Web! One of my all time favorites. That’s next for us to read.
      2-Whoop
      3-Whoop
      4-Love you too!
      5-Thanks
      6-extra 5 entries for your necklace (that I’m working on)

      Thanks, Amelia!!!

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  3. Currently I am reading the Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix to my oldest. My plan is to read Watership Down to him next.

    To my middle I just finished reading Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Next up, it’s his turn to go though Narnia.

    My littlest has been enjoying Frog and Toad books. She still doesn’t have the attention span for a longer chapter book.

    Is it okay if I pinned these last night before the contest started? http://pinterest.com/pin/87116574012699134/, http://pinterest.com/pin/87116574012699138/, http://pinterest.com/pin/87116574012699140/.

    I like you on facebook and in person too, haha. I don’t subscribe by email but I do follow you through my blog page.

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    • Oh. My heart. Watership Down. I need to re-read that book. And I ADORE Roald Dahl. And Narnia! Frog and Toad are sweet books, too. Kelly, I love all the reading that must be going on around that Haven Home.

      Yes. I’ll count your pins and your “follow” through your blog page. 🙂

      Might I add, to anyone else reading this, Kelly and her family will be the “cause” for the October Fundraiser at my Etsy shop. They are in the process of adopting and we’re going to help them out with the funds. So exciting!

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  4. We are currently reading Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. (DO you know Maud Hart Lovelace?? If not…get to know her! Delightful! My favorite is Emily of Deep Valley.)

    We read a good amount together, chapter and picture books for my 3 kids, ages 5 and under.

    I don’t have a favorite summer book…but I do have favorite books. I’m also reading a bit of Narnia this summer and introducing my 5 year old to it.

    Your shop is great! What a unique idea!

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    • Hi, Annette! Thanks for stopping by! And for the great ideas for books to read with my kids. I’m always looking for good recommendations.

      The shop idea came from Amelia Rhodes (one my writing friends). I just string some beads together. It’s a hobby of mine. 🙂

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  5. What are you reading as a family?
    I am reading “Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great” by Judy Blume to my kids right now. Ages 11, 9, and 6. We always have a chapter book going. It’s a challenge to find one they will all understand and enjoy.

    Do you read together?
    Yes. We read a chapter right before bedtime. I also still read them all picture books. I’m a librarian and can’t resist bringing home tons of books every time I work. I love that the big kids will still listen. Picture books are a joy for all ages!

    What is your favorite summertime book?
    Nothing to do with summertime – but some fave books are: The Naming of Tishkin Silk (chapter book. Picture books: Office Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann. Any book by Mo Willems. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead. I could go on and on and on and on.

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    • Oh! I’d forgotten about “Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great”! What a fun book.

      Thanks for stopping by, JJ and for sharing some great picks.

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  6. We read a lot but right now it’s mostly story books (high on the list is Llama Llama and DC Super Friends) I can’t wait until their old enough for “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” and the Chronicles of Narnia!

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  7. Susie with all that you do it makes my heart smile that family reading time is a norm! You are an amazing woman!

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  8. 1-Wizard of Oz. I have all 14 books.
    2-get your blog in e-mail.
    3-gave you link love on fb
    4-like (but really love) your novelist page
    5-bought a faboo divergent inspired necklace (which has received many a comment) on saturday. 🙂

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    • My Mom is bringing over the 14 books for me to read to the kiddos! I can’t wait! 🙂

      And, thanks for the love, Cindy. I’m really glad you like the necklace.

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  9. We read story books. The kids love picking out books at Goodwill every time we go. Haven’t started chapter books with them yet but will probably start soon.

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  10. We finished Heaven is For Real as a family read aloud a couple of months ago. Thanks for the reminder to get moving on a new book. I just checked out Charlotte’s Web and The Secret Garden for my 12 year old daughter. She is reluctantly reading them but secretly enjoying them, I can see it. She wants to read Twilight like her friends but mama’s big hand is putting the stop sign up there. My boys love fantasy books and are both mid way through Eragon and The Magic Thief, respectively. I am finishing a Jodi Picoult book currently. Great post thanks! And you should thank that sweet friend of yours Cindy Johnston for getting the word out about your blog. Look forward to following you.

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  11. Pingback: Win Jewelry, help a great cause | Amelia Rhodes

  13. I see I’m too late for the giveaway, but I wanted to comment anyway. 😉 My kiddos and I did “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in the spring, and they LOVED it! They’ve seen the movie, but it was fun to discuss what was different–oh, the details my daughter picked up on! Right now my reading to them is just whatever kids books we got from the library last week, but we just went through all the books for the read-aloud section of next year’s homeschool curriculum, and there are some great ones! First is Charlotte’s Web, which they happen to be reading with their grandmother right now anyway. =)

    And for the record, I totally “like” you on Facebook already. 😉 And visit your Etsy site regularly to see what new things you have up there. I’m thinking I need some of them for my conference outfits–don’t ya think? That way whenever someone says, “Oo, that’s pretty!” I can say, “Yeah, on of my authors made this. Isn’t she great? It’s inspired by this awesome work of literature. And half the profits benefit a project trying to put an end to human trafficking, which is, as a matter of fact, a topic in her book with us, that’s coming out in a couple months. You so don’t want to miss Paint Chips!” 😉

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    • Did you see that they made the prequel to “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”? It’s “Oz the Great and Powerful” and it was made in Michigan! I’m super excited about it.

      And you’re not too late for Amelia Rhodes’ give-away from my shop. She’s my non-fiction writing gal pal. You should enter her drawing, Roseanna! http://www.ameliarhodes.com/2012/07/17/win-jewelry-help-a-great-cause/

      I would love to have you wear some of my jewelry. If there’s anything specific you’re interested in, let me know. I can make some custom pieces. And you are so kind to think ahead about the marketing discussion. 🙂 I’m dreaming up some pieces inspired by “Paint Chips”, too.

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      • Oh, I didn’t see that, but it sounds awesome!

        I entered Amelia’s giveaway. And just bought the peacock locket for my MIL’s birthday. So much easier to pick one for her than to decide what I want to wear myself, LOL.

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