by Tilla Rianne

Created on: March 05, 2008

A hundred zillion years ago, when I was in the third grade, I had a magical librarian who helped me enter the beautiful world of books, and I have always wanted to do the same not only for my own children, but every child.

I believe early reading is a key to finding a lifelong joy in books. From the moment I learned I was pregnant I would read out loud to the new life inside of me. Many experts believe that the fetus can hear the outside world inside their little cocoon, and I've always felt this to be true as well.

My first born loved books from the moment he could hold one in his little hands, sure at first it was just to gnaw and drool on them, but eventually he got the hang of it, and before he entered Kindergarten he could read a book from cover to cover.

When my first daughter came along, I followed the same path as I had with my son, and read to her from the womb. I assumed this would instill a passion for the written word in her pretty little head, but I was wrong! For the first several years of school my daughter struggled with every subject, and especially reading. Not only was she not very good at it, but she loathed it, and would cry if she had a reading assignment. Then one day a very important thing happened, I took the time to find out what she was interested in.

I realized my daughter is a very old soul, and isn't into the current trends of life, so I bought her some classic kids stories; Nancy Drew and the Bobbsey Twins to start. Just like that she was a reading machine, and now two years later she is on the honor roll not just in reading but in every subject which brings me to my next point.

Early success in reading isn't just about success in reading. Studies show that when a child can succeed in reading they have an easier time in every other subject. I volunteer a few days a week at my daughters school and the children who can read do very well academically, and the children who struggle with reading have a difficult time succeeding in any subject.

There are many things you can do to help your child find their passion for books; read early, ready often, read as a family, and read something they will be interested in. I once said this at the end of a speech where I read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss and I think it applies here as well; Reading is fun, try it you'll see. Visit the library, it's even free!

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