Think: treats for the mind and heart, anytime, all the time.
Sponsored
by the National Center for Family Literacy, the day has been celebrated since
1994.
Indeed
the entire month of November
celebrates Family Literacy.Statistics show:
(1) Children whose parents regularly read to them during their first year of school make better grades in high school.
(2) Children who grow up in homes with lots of books tend to go further in school.
(3) Children learn from 4,000 to 12,000 new words each year as a result of reading books.
How’s
that for facts to help fill in the blank of this post’s title?
All
across the country, folks are booking family reading time.
Family
members are reading to each other – in their homes, in cars, on planes, trains
and busses.Thanks to state Centers for the Book, public libraries, schools and bookstores, families are participating in read-a-thons and read-alouds.
(For specific school Family Literacy Night ideas, check out ProTeachers.)
I’m honored to be joining fellow SCBWI-Illinois members Gina Bellisario, Marlene Targ Brill, Jeff Ebbeler, Dimitri Lunetta, Kevin Luthardt and Aaron Reynolds at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville to share the “inside stories” of our latest books.
Click here
to read the list of participating bookstores in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney,
Australia – and – in the U.S., in Washington, California, New Mexico, Utah,
Florida and Massachusetts.
SCBWI’s
Inside Story event is yet another
opportunity for families to celebrate literacy.
But even
better, it’s also an opportunity to support
literacy. For this first-time-ever bookstore event, SCBWI is partnering with First Book, the nonprofit organization that connects book publishers and community organizations to provide access to new books for children in need.
For each book purchased during the Inside Story event, the bookstore will donate $1 to First Book.
What does this effort mean for the millions of children who receive their first books from First Books?
I’m happy to fill in that blank with the recipients’ words.
“Books are better than Recess,” says
Briana, who received new books from First Book – Monroe County.
“Thank you for the books. I like to read. I
like to keep the books,” says Jonathan Evans.
Gracie
says, “I like the library, but I love the
books I get at Circles because those are mind to keep forever.”
So,
once you tweak your Halloween costume and ready your Treats,
flip
to your November calendar,scan any and all bookshelves,
choose your venue
and
book your Family’s Reading Time.
Happy
Reading and Writing, Family-style!
Esther Hershenhorn
Posts
2 comments:
I don't believe our Denver libraries are doing anything for this, but what a great program. I'll look at the Indie bookstores too. It is so critical, I know. When I think of the wealth of books my grandchildren have access to, in their own homes, in my home, etc., and I do donate books, hoping they do good for some child. Thanks for the reminder with the research!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Linda.
Here in Illinois, and not just in November, the Secretary of State's office works with the Illinois Center for the Book to make sure Family Reading Nights take place across the state.
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