READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY 2021

Will post as soon as I finish reading my historical fiction book set during Christmas---that's how far behind I am!

.........................Book finished. 

This day emphasizes the need for reading....for yourself, for others and especially for children. Reading aloud to children can provide a shared adventure that can continue for a lifetime.

In our home each child knows of Captain Underpants because their dad read this to each of them---amidst much laughter, Now it's a "shared joke."

Not exactly high brow literature, but it has become a shared family experience,. Another book brought out words that rolled off all our tongues, "Tikki Tikki Tembo-no Sa Rembo-chari Bari Ruchi-pip Peri Pembo has fallen into the well." Winning awards in 1968, 1997, 2007 & 2009,  the book now receives a red light from socialjusticebooks.org.  It certainly addresses in-sensitivity in our culture, we never considered.

I realize how easily I am drawn to a book by an award, a title or book jacket or even an author's previous book. I even feel responsible keeping current on books for grandchildren. I was drawn to this book by all of the above criteria. A main focus of the book was character Louie's mission "to save a pitiful motherless donkey" as friend college friend, Doris is doing on her farm with a dancing "house" goat--even potty-training her. (I can hear Joyce Ann laughing at those goat antics now) Plus, the donkey" was named Winslow, my G.O.A.T. child hood friend has that very name. Winslow is also the "she" in my childhood shenanigans. 

Sensitivity as I read has taken on new significance. As Solomon reminds in Ecclesiastes 12:12b, "Of making many books there is no end...."

On Read Across America Day may we all realize the importance of reading aloud to children and our responsibility for selecting the best out of many.

"There's no such thing as a good book written just for children---if it's well-written, it can appeal to any age audience! That's my opinion and I.m sticking to it." (Dotsy Liles)