Mem Fox, in her book Reading Magic says “If parents understood the huge educational benefits and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent – and every adult caring for a child – read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy within one generation.”
Thanks goodness I understand the benefits and the happiness of reading aloud! I will be reading to my brand new grandson Nico, as will his parents. And not just when he’s older but starting right now. I will share with him the fun of Pooh Bear, the excitement of Curious George, the silliness of Dr. Seuss. And of course my own stories of Emma and Henry, since we have chickens running around our farm.
Give a copy of Mem Fox’s Reading Magic to every new parent you know and we can work toward sharing the happiness and benefits of reading aloud!
What a precious picture, Margriet! And how lucky is little Nico to have someone dear read to him. Keep the Emma stories coming for the next generation.