If your kids don't have library cards, now's the time to get them. September is Library Sign-Up Month. I love libraries. They are filled with books that can teach, enrich, entertain, and take readers and listeners to other times and places. Public libraries have librarians eager to help you and your children find the books you want. They also have all kinds of public programs. Programs for children often include storytimes, puppet shows, and summer reading programs. In addition to signing up for library cards, you can share the impact of libraries and librarians with these picture books: Tomás and the Library Lady, The Librarian of Basra: A True Story of Iraq, and The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians. In these tough economic times, there's another reason to love libraries. You can save money at your public library. How do you and your children feel about public libraries. Click on "Comments" below and let me know.
(Cover art courtesy of Alfred A. Knopf)
Along with the library, parents should also look at children’s stories from yester years. They are wonderful and since they are in the public domain parents can find it for free on the internet.
Libraries: Better than a candy store…sweets and treats for all ages and NO CAVITIES!
Seriously, as soon as your child can walk (or even before), he or she is old enough to come to the library and discover the wonderful world that exists there. There used to be a rule that a child could get his or her own library card as soon as they could write their name. If that is still the rule, it is one of the most important reasons to help your child learn to write his name. A library card is like a passport…it opens up the whole wide world for your child, without having to get on a plane. Of course, with the internet, many children have unbelievable access to everything that is going on in the world…however, many children don’t have a computer at home. Yet another reason to go to the library…most have computers available to the public…if you don’t have one at home, your child can earn to use one at the library. So walk, run, drive or bike to your local library with your children. It will be a day well-spent!