Celebrating National Reading Month

Did you know that March is National Reading Month! 

March was chosen to honor Dr. Seuss's birthday. 

When I was a child, I fell in love with reading and libraries. There were so many to choose from in my city's grand public library. It was a magnificent structure in downtown Syracuse, NY that opened my eyes to magical wonders. The stacks in the children's library were filled with books about faraway places and times. I spent hours mulling over the precious publications and always walked away with a new stack of books.

But that library was not the only one that amazed me. Each summer when I visited my Nonnie in Rome, NY, we would spend time walking to the library. My love for reading increased with age. It's not surprising that booklove was one of the reasons why I studied to become a reading specialist. 

My first classroom had a small area for books nestled in the corner of the cafeteria. My high school students were not readers but I had an intense desire to introduce them to the pleasures of reading. From there, I was asked to start a reading program for 7th graders in another impoverished setting. My love for books continued to grow as did the libraries I shared with K-12th grade students. To entice the elementary students to read, I offered schoolwide read alouds during holiday times. The teachers and I celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2nd wearing Cat in the Hat hats and reading to students. Then, after 25 years in classrooms as a reading specialist, I moved to central administration as a districtwide director of language arts. In that capacity, I was able to open libraries for classroom teachers in each of the 5 elementary schools. Now, I enjoy reading to my grandgirls with books I have collected over the years.      

Heartnote to Students

books

open doors

to new pathways

enlighten, delight, and become

bestfriends

books

reach out

to all ages

as guides into literacy

learning

books

ignite imagination

offering content and

creative illustrations for story

love

love

comes in

many forms

books offer pleasure, intrigue,

heartthrobs

©CVarsalona, February 2024

Elfchen poems

I am celebrating the month of March by reading and writing daily. I am also celebrating my six-year-old year-old grandgirl's accomplishment as a reader. As a first-grade student, she reads fluently and enjoys chapter books now. I applaud all the parents who read to their child/children when they are little and continue to enjoy the pleasure of family reading at bedtime. 

Once again I  am sliding into Day 16 of the 2024 Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge before the midnight hour clocks in.2024 Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Day 16

June Vibes

Summertime makes a grand entrance each year as children and parents move into a relaxed mode of living. There are family outings, mini-trips, vacations, and fresh air fun. Everyone feels summer vibes that bring smiles and uplifted spirits. Here is a feel-good song, "June is bustin' out all over," that holds the spirit of June in its lyrics.

Feeling the verve of summer busting out, I am joining Michelle H. Barnes' June Ditty Challenge created by Karen Boss, an editor from Charlesbridge Publishing who is Today's Little Ditty Spotlight guest for the month of June. Susan likes the idea of "putting good vibes for kids into the world" so her ditty challenge this month is to write a poem in second person, speaking directly to a kid or kids about something that you think is important for them to know.

For my ditty challenge offering, I chose to discuss the gift of reading. It is a joyful one that never stops surprising the reader with journeys to near and far-off lands, inspiration, amusement, and beautiful language to develop communication skills. My ditty poem captures my love of reading and the blossoming love for books that has developed in my granddaughter's life. Because she delights in choosing her own books to read, one of my gifts for her second birthday was a picture book that speaks to the blossoming artist that she is. Sky Color, written by my friend, the creative artist/children's author, Peter Reynolds, is a great read aloud to spark the creative spirit in any child. 

I dedicate my poem to my little love, Sierra, who is full of life and celebrated her second birthday this past weekend.

📖

Dear little grandchild of mine,

summer is for old-fashioned fun-

your time to notice, wonder, and combine

outdoor merriment under the sun

with picture books for everyone.

Find the story that sends you climbing

the one that's filled with rhyming.

There are many to make you smile,

others to spark your artistic style.

Perhaps, you'll come read with me

by my roaring Long Island sea

or under your old Virginia tree.

Wherever you go,

bring a treasured book

to fly you to an enchanted nook

where summer dreams wait for you 

as book love grows during year two.

©CV, 2019

📖

Now, I am off to visit my friend, librarian/poet, Linda Mitchell at her blog site, A Word Edgewise. Linda is the gracious host of Poetry Friday this week.

Celebrate World Book Day

Alexa, good morning!

Good morning, it is World Book Day! It is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to promote  reading, publishing, and copyright."

Sierra, did you hear that? Alexa said it is World Book Day. Would you like to read a book?

"Yeah," my 22-month-old grandbaby said as she immediately took out four of her books and sat down on the floor to read them to her babies. I watched with wonder.

Stephen King says, "Books are a uniquely portable magic." They can transport a reader to a new place, engage them in a fantasy, or provide information. At a young age, my grandbaby has learned that books are friends she can take anywhere with her. 

As a reading specialist for years, I know that books are a source of entertainment and enjoyment for most children. For those who have not experienced the joy and magic of reading, we need to share our passion for reading and help each child discover the power of books.

On World Book Day, in particular, let's remember to enrich children's lives at an early age with daily reading. so they can grow to be lifelong readers. 

I am joining Two Writing Teachers tonight for Slice of Life Tuesday.

Within the Pages

I never forgot the walk past the huge lampposts, up the stairs, and through the massive doors. I remember stepping into the foyer and feeling like I was floating across the oversized room, as if I was sitting on Aladdin's carpet. Walking further into an enormous area designated as the children's room, I was immediately mesmerized by long rows and shelves of endless books. I knew then there was something magical and sacred about the library. 

To this day, I never forgot the smell of the books and the feel of my fingers running across the covers. I was a young child with little background knowledge about places outside of my neighborhood and downtown Syracuse but in this haven of knowledge, I was whomever I wanted to be. Books carried me to places I never knew about and those I wanted to explore.

Postcard from the Onondaga Historical Society

Onondaga Public Library, Syracuse, NY

In my formative years, I understood  that reading could transport me. I became a voracious reader, encouraged by my teachers and my family. My love for reading grew with each classic novel and nonfiction book I read. I cherished reading about historical figures and fictionalized characters whom I wanted to emulate. Books became my friends over the years.

At the end of college, I took a circuitous route back to my roots and became a reading teacher to pass on my passion for reading to young minds. I hoped that I would impact students' lives to encourage them to become lifelong readers. To this day, I am book lover, spreading the message that Reading Matters.

Happy National Library Week 2017 

"Libraries Transform"

They transformed my life. How about yours?

It's Tuesday so the slicers are serving up their Slice of Life pieces at Two Writing Teachers. Join me as I travel there.

March Slice of Life Story Challenge