My husband and I returned just days ago from a week of visiting our oldest daughter and her family, which includes our two oldest grandsons–almost 7 and nearly 2.

Both a-c-t-i-v-e little boys!

We had tons of fun. We had front-row seats at a family-friendly musical review, we spent a few hours at the beach, we celebrated birthdays, we ate at a restaurant where you cook your own pancakes on a griddle in the center of your table, we took family photos, we went to a ball game, we tried a little tennis.

Solomon with one of my books

We went to the library!

At the library we got information about signing up for the summer reading program, and we checked out some books. But what Solomon (the oldest) was most interested in was simply sitting together in the library while I read to him from the books he had selected.

And that’s the image that keeps coming back to me as I reflect upon our trip.

Solomon just finished first grade, but he reads several grades above that, and he enjoys reading to himself. Still, he wanted me to read to him. I’m so glad I did!

We often say that children spell love “T-I-M-E.”

But I wonder if they don’t also spell it “R-E-A-D.”

Quick … choose a good book and go find a child to read to! Here are some read-aloud tips to get you started.

• Try varying your voice or adding sound effects as you read. No need to be shy!
• If you’re reading an illustrated book, take time to talk about the pictures. Invite your child to tell you what’s happening in a picture, how a character in an illustration is feeling, or what might happen next.
• Let your child interrupt the story to ask questions.
• Encourage younger children to hold the book and turn the pages as you read.
• Try to relate a story to your child’s real-world experiences, for example, “Do you remember when our family took a trip?” or “That donkey looks like the one you rode at the petting zoo.”
• If your child likes to read aloud, take turns. Let him read to you.
• Remember that good books are made to be read more than once.

Happy reading!

DIANE