In addition to school days, January and February are filled with snow days and sick days. Even so, there has been a lot of reading going on at my house. I love watching my kids drop their backpacks after school and then get absorbed in a funny book. (Bonus points if it contains potty humor.) But my favorite time of day is right before bed when I read aloud to my kids. This winter, we’ve read The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Candymakers, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and Mrs. and Mrs. Bunny- Detectives Extraordinaire! Now we’re working on some sequels.
Not only have I been reading with my kids, but I’ve been reading to *your* kids, too! I had the amazing opportunity to Skype with schools around the country for World Read Aloud Day on February 1st. I read Porcupine’s Pie to classes in Texas, Illinois, Michigan, and Nebraska and I answered thoughtful questions from students, such as: Why did I become a writer? and How do you get your ideas? Take a look!
Now it’s your turn. Reading with your kids is shown to improve literacy skills for pre- and emerging readers. And just because your kids can read doesn’t mean you should stop reading to them! Fluent readers enjoy the no-pressure, family-time of listening to a story together. If you need book recommendations, try Jedlie’s Reading with Your Kids! Podcast. I had the pleasure of speaking with him about Porcupine’s Pie and my forthcoming book, Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers. Have a listen HERE!
