One Book Read Aloud

As a child not only did my mom have us do Quiet Reading Time, but I remember my mom sitting in the hall between the two bedrooms and reading to us from wonderful books.  I remember being very excited for that time each night and wouldn’t let my mom let a night go by without reading to us.  I loved to imagine myself as the main character and become part of the book.  After she was done reading I would still imagine myself in the book and eventually dream about it!  That is probably where my love for Little House on the Prairie came from, imaging myself as Laura, walking to school with my brothers and sister each day, having animals and eventually marrying my own Almanzo 🙂  Now 20 years later I am hearing the same things out of my kids mouth that I used to say to my mom.  “Mom you forgot to read to us” “Mom you already read that page!” “Read it again”  They love it and I love that time I have to read to them, or to hear my husband in the hall reading to them. {We trade off books we read to them}

Back to the quote by Elder Perry from his talk Mothers Teaching Children in the home….
“Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home.”

I thought it was really interesting that Elder Perry added “One book read aloud” in his talk.  I pondered exactly why he would put that in there. If an apostle of God tells us to read aloud to our children then there must be a reason and we must do it!  Why do you think it is important?  I came up with a few of my own reasons.  One is to show a mother’s or father’s love and patience to his or her children at bedtime {which is usually the time I am least patient}.  It is also a time to help your kids relax, calm their minds and prepare for sleep. Reading to our kids is so important, even if they can read on their own.  A few years ago I bought an excellent book called Honey for a Child’s Heart. by Gladys Hunt

It is very Christian based and has really helped me a lot in what kinds of books to read with my kids.  It is a great book about the imaginative use of books in family life.  I totally recommend it and think every mom should own this book.  Not only does it have great stuff in it about the importance of reading to our kids, but the whole last half of the book is an annotated list of books for children ages 0-14.  I take this book to the library with me, or write down certain authors she recommends to read from and get their books.  She recommends also reading Poetry with your children.  In the book she quotes from Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”  I love that.  I love good books, books that are pleasing to our soul and helps us use our imagination and creativity.

Kids can learn and remember so much from you reading to them.  You can use good books to teach great principles in life.  Characteristics such as courage, loyalty, love, security, happiness, understanding, empathy and many other life characteristics that are important to understand can be learned from reading good books!

Recently my husband read The Indian in the Cupboard to my kids.

They love to imagine that things come life, that they are cowboys and cowgirls, and that their toys come to life!

Another one we read recently is Sarah Plain and Tall

My kids loved the imagery that was presented in the book about the difference of living by the ocean and living in the dessert.  They loved the songs that were sung in the book.  The kindness and love that was shown, and even the humor of the sister saying her brother was a bother, even though she loved him!  We are currently reading Caleb’s Story {which is the 3rd book} and the kids are really enjoying it!

Other good books we have read include
Charlotte’s Web
Little House on the Prairie {of course :}

Stuart Little and our next one will be The Trumpet of the Swam

We have also started to like Mrs. Pigglewiggle a funny book about a silly lady that makes us laugh on every single page!

Go out and pick out a good book today to read with your kids either during the day or before bed.  Get your husbands involved every so often and have them read one to the kids at night.  The kids will love that time that you spend with them.  Even my two year old will sit and listen to non picture books.   And I highly recommend buying Honey for a Child’s Heart as a quick read and a great resource to help you pick out good books and become more aware of good authors.  Happy Reading!!