Cultivating a love for books

Ryan and Dené at ages 6 and 3

Dené quietly reading on her own

Since before the birth of my son, Ryan, my husband and I started buying books. I was determined to cultivate a love for books in my children. So, gradually our book collection grew to a small library! I never thought I spend so many hours picking out books - not to mention all the money! But it has been worth it!
Why not just go to my local library? Most people would ask. Well, for me the reasons are many. Some of them are: Favorites are always close by for a quick (or not so quick) read. Many of the books we have are not loanable from our local library. It is fun rediscovering books in your own little library. We know what we have - sometimes going to the library and sifting through all the books available (some good and others not) is not only time consuming, but also overwhelming to my kids. Our books stay in excellent condition.

My children started loving books early on. Being read to and just paging through books with lots of pictures is how many hours were spend in the early years. My son now devours books with lots of facts and reads to his sister when she finds it difficult to do so.  My daugter, Dené, started reading (much on her own) shortly after she turned 5. She reads books with short, easy stories and now it seems she is teaching herself to read in English.
It makes me proud to see my kids reading together instead of playing computer games or watching TV.

Soon we will be utilizing their love and passion for reading and knowledge in our new venture: Homeschooling.
More about this soon...