It's International Literacy Day!

It's International Literacy Day. According to the International Reading Association, "More than 780 million of the world's adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education." Access to books is so important for literacy, which is why I am such a supporter of public libraries. With money tight, it's great to know you can save money at your public library.

One of my 10 Ways to Help You Raise Kids Who Love Reading is to get a library card and take advantage of all that your library has to offer. If you have been thinking about getting a library card, now's the time. Did you know that the month of September is Library Card Sign-up Month? For children's picture books that show the importance of libraries and librarians, read Tomás and the Library Lady, The Librarian of Basra: A True Story of Iraq and The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians. What are some others you'd recommend? Click on "Comments" below and share your favorites.

(Cover art courtesy of Alfred A. Knopf)