Sometimes one book can make all the difference

I have mentioned that there are usually seven bedtime stories read nightly in our home. Well, we have increased that by one more book. I get to read eight bedtime stories to my three kids each night now. I wanted to share this with you because I am overjoyed in the positive results adding one more book to our nightly routine has had on my children. I am not suggesting for you to read eight stories a night I simply want to share how change in reading routine may positively affect your children or family. I do not know the answers, I just enjoy sharing what work for us.

I am sure you are wondering what could have changed with one more story. I will get to that soon. I always make it a point to recognize both the author and illustrator of every book before reading. I point out the title page and usually tell the kids when it was first published. This is usually just information flowing in and out of their growing brains.

But as soon as I started reading eight bedtime stories, I noticed not just in my 6-year-old, but also in the 3- and 2-year-old who when a book is picked up to “read” or look at individually, the kids ask me, “Who wrote this book? Who drew the pictures? Who made the letters and words on this page?” It is awesome. I love it. My kids want to know this important information about these great books. They recognize some of our favorite authors and illustrator from books we read regularly, like Jez Alborough or Dr. Seuss.

I think next week I am going to have my kids read me a bedtime story. How about you?