Show children that reading can be fun
Confucius wrote, "Tell me; and I will forget. Show me; and I will remember. Involve me; and I will understand forever."
Long before the written word, humans shared and enjoyed stories. Those that excelled as storytellers were often elevated in status. The key word here is excelled. If the storyteller or the story wasn't very good, there wouldn't be a captive audience.
It's no different today. All children enjoy hearing great stories. Like you, children have preferences and want an excellent story, not a mediocre or boring one. Like you, children want to be involved in the story, and that happens when the story touches us in some way that makes us a part of what we're hearing or reading.
Confucius was right. Telling a child that reading is fun without reading to the child is pointless. Show children and involve them in great stories, and they will understand. You can start with the books reviewed below and those featured by your local library. Once the message is understood, there's no telling how far it will go!
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape From the Tower of London"</B> by Elvira Woodruff; Scholastic; 224 pages; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 10 and older.In London, 1735, Forest lives with his family at the tower of London, where he helps his father tend the ravens and guard the prisoners. When a Scottish rebel's daughter, Maddy, is imprisoned and faces execution, Forest is horrified — the two have developed a secret friendship. Forest is the only one who can help Maddy escape, but that would be treason.Full of suspense, compassion, empathy, and heroism, this fast-paced novel is superb.
<B>Library:</B> Zelienople Public Library, 227 S. High St., Zelienople<B>Library Director:</B> Jan Lawrence<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Kay Howard<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Froggy" </B>books by Jonathan London; <B>"The Terrible Wave"</B> by Marden Dahlstedt; <B>"Butterfly Jar"</B> by Jeff Moss
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Pirates Don't Change Diapers" </B>by Melinda Long; illustrated by David Shannon; Harcourt, 2007; 40 pages, $16 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Jeremy's pirate friends have returned to Jeremy's house to dig up their treasure, but the pirates are so loud they accidentally wake Jeremy's baby sister, Bonney Anne. Before anyone can do any digging, the pirates and Jeremy have to sooth the baby and make her happy.But pirates aren't accustomed to the baby business, and one hilarious event after another has the pirates scrambling to do the right thing. Once Bonney Anne is finally asleep, it's time to dig. But wait! What happened to the treasure map?This highly entertaining story will have readers agreeing — pirates don't change diapers, at least not very well!<B>"Pierre in Love"</B> by Sara Pennypacker; illustrated by Petra Mathers; Orchard Books, 2007; 40 pages; $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Pierre is in love with the most elegant woman he has ever laid eyes on — Catherine. Catherine is a ballet teacher and a painter, but Pierre doesn't have the courage to tell her how he feels about her. Pierre is certain she will find him unacceptable because Pierre is an ordinary fisherman.Finally, Pierre can't bear it any longer, and when he approaches Catherine he is shocked by what he discovers.A wonderful story of love, this selection is simply terrific.
