To be honest, I have started the blog two or three times. I keep getting distracted with ringing phones or other tasks. Then today, I had an interaction with a mom about our Worldwide Reading Challenge. It went a bit like this:
“I just love that you are doing the is reading challenge. I think it’s great.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d participate, but I just read books to my kids at night. If I put them in, your list would be filled with cardboard books with eight-pages each. What a waste.”
“Oh no! Just the opposite. We think it’s wonderful. Please log them if you have time. PLEASE!”
Good readers are made by stories. They are made by those eight-page books being read to them over and over. They are made during story time and goodnight books and in-the-car-filling time books.
Consumers’ Association of Penang noted in a blog posted last year, “The single biggest predictor of high academic achievement is reading to children. Not flash cards, not workbooks, not fancy preschools, not blinking toys or computers, but mom or dad taking the time every day or night (or both!) to sit and read them wonderful books.”
Reading to children (of any age) is important. It introduces new words, familiarize children with languages, expands their knowledge base, and ignites the imagination and creativity. Those 8-page cardboard books are so important. They count in our challenge.
When we set up the Worldwide Reading Challenge, we envisioned all ages of readers participating including those books being read to kids at story time. Our hope was that we would encourage people discover their love of books. We didn’t care if it was a hardcover, e-book, or audiobook. We just wanted people reading and we wanted to celebrate all those people and the books they read.
This means cardboard books, pop-up books, comic books, romance books, graphic novels, books from Audible…all the books!
We ask a couple of questions in our book recording log because Lisa, Devin, and I are nerds. We like to see what the numbers tell us. Currently right now, some of the stats are:
- •We’ve had 204 books recorded!
- •Type of book read: 40% audiobook/32% hard copy books/ 28% ebooks
- •We’ve read 60,232 pages which means it’s an average of 295 per book recorded.
- •Our youngest reader is 8 and our oldest is 88!
- •Our shortest book: “Cuddlebear” by Claire Freedman & Gavin Scott at 22 pages.
- •Our longest book: “House of Flame and Shadow” by Sarah J. Maas at 848 pages.
- •We have readers in 8 different Nebraska cities and 5 other states.
So please, there is no “just” when you are reading. You are READING! No book is too short to be counted as a book. We love that you are reading and sharing stories with your littles whether its because you run a daycare or because you’re tucking your littles into bed. Since we share the titles on our reading list, you might just be helping someone find a new read! But no matter what, you’re helping create and cultivate a love of reading and that’s so very important.
Before I sign-off, I should share this month’s winners!
- •Nebraska: Jeni Obermier with her entry of “Gallant” by V.E. Schwab
- •The World: Candi Gragg with her entry of “The Innocent” by David Baldacci
This month’s winners received a Papyrus notebook and a hand-painted bookmark by artist Nancy Perucca. You can find fun notebooks/journals and Nancy’s artwork along with work of other artists at Espressions: Coffee & Community, if you want your own.
Speaking of Espressions, if you need help recording your books, do not hesitate to stop in and see one of our awesome baristas. They can help! You can also get your bookmarks and stickers. Those who are near, if you read 5 books and purchase 4 drinks…and collect your stamps from our baristas, you get a free drink. Stop in to get yours.
As I focused on the importance of stories being read to children, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that we have a story time at Espressions. On Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m., we host “Stories with Lisa”. Our shop manager, Lisa, reads a story or two and has a craft to go with it. It is free. Join us! Lisa is a great story teller.
The Worldwide Reading Challenge now has its own designated page on our website. You’ll find the list of recorded books there along with where you log your read books and such. Click here to see it!
Thank you everyone. Keep reading. Share the challenge with others if you care too. We’d really love to see readers from every county in Nebraska and every state in the US! Record your books…including your story books and have a great day.
Happy reading!
-Maile
Ps: I am currently listening to: "The Booklover's LIbrary" by Madeline Martin. I am also reading "My Year Abroad: A Novel" by Chang-rae Lee.
