- Read 19 books with little Abe. (to get to 500 in our 1000 books before Kindergarten book log)
In June we picked up a book log from our local library so that we could take part in their "1000 Books Before Kindergarten" program. Every time we've read 100 books we bring the book log into the library and little Abe get's to place a gold sticker in the book log. Then the librarian hands him a big bin of books to choose from as a reward for having read 100 books.
This program is really neat. In the first place it's free and in the second place it's fun. (It just so happens that I apparently say "and in second place" a lot. I hear my kiddo starting many a sentence with this phrase)
We enjoy reading together but logging each book we've read and working towards the goal of reading 1000 books absolutely encourages more reading, at least for us. I also like the fact that the program gets us to the library more often then we were usually going. And a free book for keeps here and there is a neat reward. (you know I like free)
This is his favorite part of going to the library (although, drinking from the drinking fountain took a close second place today). He is always thrilled to stand on the ledge by the windows and look down at the street. The main part of the library is on the second story. He thinks the road is "SO FAR DOWN!" I love how utterly fascinating certain things are to him. I was very tempted to rush him along (and am each time we go) but as usual I took a seat in the cushy chair they have placed right next to the window, smiled to myself at how much my boy was enjoying himself, and kept repeating in my head, "be patient. be patient. just let him be."
Once again, he had to pull all the Star Wars books from the shelf and look through each. We only brought home two but I'm pretty sure we'll read both of them 100 times. (We brought home several other books too, not Star Wars related) This was a very good goal for the month. I really enjoy our little library outings.
You are eating up your goals. I have to say, despite your posts about feeling blue, you sure are tackling your priorities. Admirable. (He is just so cute!)
ReplyDeleteThank-you. I am trying. I need to be more diligent with setting goals. Accomplishments are very encouraging for me. I should have started the month with a list like this, although it may not have helped. This month started just awful. Well, trying to redeem it now anyhow :)
DeleteThat is the thing I miss the most about not having little kids - the look of wonder when they walk into the library. Definitely my favorite place in the world.....with the used book store being a close second :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger (like even into early adulthood) I was SOOOOOO intimidated by the library. I don't remember going there very much as a child so maybe that's a part of it but I really felt out of place at any library. I have started to like it more and more and of course the more I go the less it seems intimidating. We've really been enjoying the library. I hope that my son will love going to the library all of his life.
DeleteI hope you are enjoying the books too! I was a children's librarian for a while (many years ago) and could happily have spent all my time "familiarising myself" with the contents of the book bins. I think I enjoyed them even more than the children did.
ReplyDeleteSome of them are really neat! I must admit that I had a very large collection of children's books years before I ever had a child of my own to read them to so I think I know what you're saying :)
DeleteI saw them as an investment because I knew that someday I would have children of my own and I have always loved kid's books. So ever since I taught in a learning based daycare, when I was around 18, I'd been buying kid's books a little at a time. I really do enjoy reading to him (some books are just plain odd though).
I love that you are logging the books you have read. When he is grown it will be such a wonderful gift for him. This is my favorite quote about reading to your children.
ReplyDelete"You may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be. I had a mother who read to me."
Strickland Gillian
Oh my goodness! I started to tear up when I got to the end of that quote. Thank-you for sharing! I'd never heard that before and it is fabulous.
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