Celebrate National Reading Month

Attention, Windham Patch families.

As a bestselling author, but most importantly, as a dad, I’ve found this to be my absolute go-to golden rule for parenting: the best way to open doors for your children is to get them to absolutely love to read books. And this won’t happen unless you, the parent, take the job into your own hands.

Reading—no matter what kinds of books they prefer—is the best and only way our kids will be able to grasp a firm footing in this life. Never deny them a book at the store or the library. Make time for reading 20 minutes a day in your house. Read books alongside them. Make the act of reading cool.  

There’s a simple, easy way to get started: pick the books your kid will love. You can even use my ReadKiddoRead.com for a list of the best ones out there. Give them books they’ll enjoy, and they’ll pick up the next one on their own. Then another, and another… until you have a full-fledged reader on your hands, destined for great things ahead.

-James Patterson

Ways to Celebrate National Reading Month

From storytime to read aloud programs, there are plenty of ways to make your children full-fledged readers—and National Reading Month is the perfect time to start. From showing your child your own children's books from years ago to going to a bookstore and seeing punchy, colorful new covers, either can ignite a love of reading into your child. 

The National Education Association, which launched a Read Across America program to motivate kids to read, has plenty of resources on its site. Looking for the best books your family can read together? Then check out this list, the Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children  Get ready to grab "Cat in the Hat" and "Charlotte's Web" from your local library–which could also have a children's reading room with interactive games and toys about characters from various books. 

NEA also has booklists for every state, including "Gathering of Days" by Joan Blos, "Bear That Heard Crying" by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock and "Miss Hickory" by Carolyn Bailey for New Hampshire. And if you're looking for more great books to read to your kids, check out the ReadKiddoRead Foundation's website for reading lists by age group and category.

Nesmith Library in Windham also offers plenty of resources. Here's a list of some local reading-related events and programs in town for the rest of the month: 

• March 26: Story Hour, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Classes are a pre-registered program for children 3 to 6 years of age who can independently participate in an hour of stories, songs, and a simple coloring project. Parents and/or guardians do not stay in Story Hour with the children, but are required to remain in the library during that time.
• March 27: Story Hour, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• March 27, Book Discussion, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join Nesmith Library for a discussion of The Meaning of Night : A Confession by Michael Cox. Books are available at the circulation desk.
• March 28: Story Hour, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• March 28: Author Visit, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Meet local young adult author and Windham Middle School teacher Michelle M. McCorkle who will read a selection from her new book Days of Destruction, answer questions, and sign autographs. Copies of her books will be available for purchase.

What books are you reading for National Reading Month? Tell us in the comments field below.