Books

I have been a voracious reader as far back as I can remember. I’m not sure what got me started but whatever it was I’m glad it found me early. There is no better way to unwind than sprawled on my couch with a good book. And when I find a good book I have a need to get a fix from it as often as possible.

When Sophia was a tiny baby I felt ridiculous reading children books to her that she clearly had no interest in. I much preferred to just talk to her/with her but on the occasions that I did read to her it was whatever was on my Nook at the moment or the next installment of Harry Potter since that’s what I read the majority of her early months. Right around her first birthday we started making books a part of her bedtime routine. Since that time she has developed a love of books that seems to know no bounds. We’ve actually had to limit the number of books read at bedtime to two because she would bring every single one on her shelf to us. Her favorites include The Cat in the Hat, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Baker, Baker, Cookie Maker, Counting Kisses, and any available Clifford the Big Red Dog book.

Books aren’t just a part of bedtime either; they’re a staple throughout the day. I like to switch things up with her books as well (in the interest of keeping my sanity & adding a variety of learning to the mix), asking her to read the story to me or just flipping through the pages and pointing out different characters, objects, and colors. Tim likes to add his own “twist” to the stories when things get a little stale.

I don’t know many kids who would jump out of bed in the morning and ask for a book instead of a cartoon but that’s what she does most weekends and I love it. I’m hoping whatever found me when I was young and claimed me as “reader” has found her as well.