Louis L'Amour, author of historical novels set in the Old
West, once said, "For one who reads, there is no limit to the number of
lives that may be lived, for fiction, biography, and history offer an
inexhaustible number of lives in many parts of the world, in all periods of
time." Tomie daPaola, children's book author and illustrator, said it
well, when he commented, "Reading is important, because if you can read,
you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything."
Books open doors, introducing new places and new friends,
while stretching a reader's imagination beyond his or her own small world,
adding color and excitement to what could otherwise be a bland, boring
existence.
Sadly, those new worlds and adventures remain unexplored by
the 24% of American adults who did not read a single book in 2013 -- not in
traditional format, not on an e-reader, not even by listening to an audio book,
according to a recent Pew Research Center report. Based on U.S. Census Bureau
population estimates, that means that more than 60 million adults read no
books, of any kind, in twelve months.
So, as parents, teachers, and other concerned adults, how
can we make sure that children develop a love for reading that will follow them
throughout their lifetimes? There are dozens -- maybe even hundreds -- of
possible answers, but I think it comes down to one simple concept: Make reading
fun.
Over the next weeks, I want to share with you ways to do
exactly that. The site will include a weekly spotlighted book for younger and
for older readers, along with activities you can share that relate to that book,
including learning activities, crafts, writing prompts -- whatever I can offer
to give your child a reason to love that book and to transfer that love to
books in general. While the activities will have a specific book in mind,
you'll be able to use most of them with any other books you choose.
To start us off, how about setting up a special hideaway
just for your young reader? How much more fun is hiding in your own private
reading nook than just sitting in a chair or the floor like everyone else? Before
you panic and scream, "But I'm not crafty; I'm not a DIY-er," let me
assure you -- this one is soooooo
simple, you can handle it. I promise; you can. Really, trust me!
All you need is a Hula Hoopรค, a shower curtain, something
to use for hanging it -- ribbon, chain, rope, whatever -- and a large hook. Cut
an opening in the hoop, slide the curtain on, and then tie (or glue) your
hangers onto the hoop. Attach the hangers to the hook, and you have a portable
reading cave, ready for use just about anywhere. (Just remind your reader not
to tug on it!)
