Why I'm Blogging

Why am I blogging about children’s books?
One part class assignment, one part curiosity and one part satiating a need to read more children’s books. I am fortunate enough to be fulfilling an independent study about children’s literature and literacy. I decided to create a blog to share my opinions of the children’s books I am reading. All of my choices for children’s books will be centered on promoting early literacy.
A few comments on promoting early literacy…
First let me say that the best way to promote early literacy is also the simplest, read to children. Let them see for themselves the pleasure and enjoyment reading brings. By reading to children and letting children see adults read for enjoyment you model for them the cornerstone of literacy skills that will last a lifetime.
Secondly, preliteracy skills such as letter knowledge, print motivation, print awareness, vocabulary, narrative skills, and phonological awareness all assist in early literacy (Sullivan, 2005). Reading to children promotes these prelitercy skills. Although some children’s books encourage certain preliteracy skills more than others, all books encourage these skills to some extent or another. Sharing the love of reading is the most influential way to build these skills. So while my blog will give children’s book suggestions, it is not the book itself that encourages early literacy, but the enjoyment of books. Hopefully in reading my short book descriptions you will find some stories you and your child will enjoy.
Sullivan, Michael. (2005). Fundamentals of Children’s Services. American Library Association, Chicago.
Who Am I?
I am a Library of Science graduate student in Minnesota. Besides that, I work in a library albeit on the technical side of things, and I am a mother of three children. Reading to my children is what ignited (or reignited) my love for picture books and children’s literature. I am discovering as my children grow older I am dreading the day when they would no longer allow me to read to them. Being a librarian-in-training offers me a socially acceptable excuse to continue my fascination and love with children’s books. Becoming a children’s librarian will solidify that excuse and offer me the opportunity to share my passion of literature with others.