Wednesday Wisdom – World Book Day – 10 Ways to celebrate

 

Do you need a reason to immerse yourself in a good book? Well, World Book Day is celebrated on March 3^rd. The purpose of World Book Day is to ensure that every child has a book of their own. You can be a part of the initiative by donating a book to a child and encouraging your friends to do the same.

If yo9u love books as much as a child does, here are more ways to celebrate:

1.      Read a book

2.      Share a book

3.      Listen to a book in your car during a long commute

4.      Buy a book for a friend

5.      Visit the library and check out a book by your favorite author

6.      Write a book ( or at least begin the process)

7.      Participate in a book discussion group

8.      Watch a movie where one of the characters is an author (there are several on the Hallmark Channel

9.      Donate to a cause that supports literacy

10.  Support an author by giving them a book review

There are a gazillion other ways to celebrate World Book Day, but most of all encourage a child to read. Give them the gift of a book, it could open a whole new world of exploration and creativity.

What else would you add to the list of ways to celebrate World Book Day?

Because it’s World Book Day, I want to offer something to you! Purchase a copy of one of my books today, Menopause Ain’t No Joke or Laughter H.E.L.P.S and you’ll be entered in a drawing for an Amazon gift card. Your purchase must be made by midnight (EST) on March 3^rd.

Happy Reading!

Wellness Wednesday – Paperback Book Day

 

What are you currenrly reading?

Are you a bibliophile, do you have a love for books? You may already know that July 30^th is Paperback Book Day. Include reading as part of your wellness for Paperback Book Day.

Here are 3 ways to celebrate Paperback Book Day:

1.      Visit your local library – pick up a boo that’s been on your “to be read” list.

2.      Support your independent bookstore – purchase a paperback book by your favorite author.

3.      Pull out an old favorite book to read again, or swap with a friend.

Take your book to your favorite reading spot, relax, and put everything else on hold…temporarily.

 

National D.E.A.R. Day - Drop Everything And Read



Phtot credit:  www.rpls.ws

It’s coming soon, another national holiday – Drop everything and read day. Did you know that D.E.A.R. is celebrated on April 12^th in honor of author Beverly Cleary’s birthday? The goal of this day is to encourage people to make reading a part of their routine.

Get out that you’ve been wanting to read or choose a favorite children’s book to read to your child. Below is a list of childhood favorite books by Beverly Cleary:

The Hullabaloo ABC
Lucky Chuck
Ramona the Pest
Ramona the Brave
Henry and the Paper Route
Dear Mr. Henshaw

You can visit the D.E.A.R. website for other favorite books,  printable bookmarks and activity ideas. One activity asked the reader to… “Make a list of 10 things you would drop everything for.” What would you include on your list? Try this activity with your kids or simply choose a book and schedule a family reading time.
 

Here are some Family Reading Tips provided by the Reading Rockets website:

Designate a special time for family reading. It could be after dinner, before bedtime or reading the morning paper.
 

Encourage your child’s reading. Reading the cereal box at breakfast or the road signs on the way to school all help encourage reading.

 

Allow kids to choose books they’re interested in reading or have read aloud.

Register for a library card. If your child already has a library card use it frequently and take advantage of programs offered at the library.

What will you do to celebrate National D.E.A.R. Day.?

 

Schools out, what will the kids do for the summer?

On the last day of school my son came home with a drawstring bag full of books. Well, there were eight paperback books, but in his eyes there were a million. The school gave some of the kid’s books to encourage summer reading.

The books came with a suggested plan of action for completion, “read one book per week.” My son said, “They must have given these books to the wrong kid. I don’t like reading that much.”

We are working on a compromise. Sometimes I wonder why I even enter into negotiations with a 12 year old. I think it’s because listening to my son’s rationale is always entertaining. He thinks he should receive a reward for everything he does. 

Example: “What will I get if I clean my room and the living room?” or “If I do all of my chores without you asking, will you buy me something at the store?”

Needless to say, I have my work cut out for me. So, for the summer there will be reading accomplished in some form. I have registered both the boys (and myself) for the summer reading program at our local library.

The library’s program DOES offer rewards for reading so many minutes (younger kids) or for reading so many books (adults). We’ve already cashed in on the free ice cream cones just for registering for the program.

As far as “fun” things for the kids to do, we’re always in search of inexpensive outings. The kids are already looking forward to spending as much time as possible at Rolling Hills Water Park. They are really encouraging begging me to get a season pass.

Doing a hand stand...are his legs supposed to be straight in the air?

My kids love the water.

If you’re in the Ann Arbor area, there is a Summer Carnival at Pioneer High School coming up, June 20-24. The Ann Arbor Mom Blog lists this and other inexpensive family outings.



Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor Jaycees



I like carnivals as much as the kids do, so I’m sure we’ll show up at one somewhere this summer.

What are your summer plans with (or without) the kids?