Twix the what and the huh???

Hello, all. Dana Mentink, here. We had a rolicking good time on St. Patty’s Day with the Mentink clan and assorted holiday foods including corned beef, cabbage, etc. It was a hoot, as it always is. My sister shared an old saying she learned somewhere along the way. “There’s always a slip, twix the cup and the lip.” We had a great time alalyzing that one! I think we concluded that it meant that life is unexpected and many things can set us back a pace. It got us to thinking about other sayings and their meanings. My mother always used to tell us to “wring it out like a turnip” before we set off on a car trip. I’ll leave you to decipher the meaning of that one. My favorite from my father is, “Never keep such an open mind that people can fill it full of garbage.” I think my children will probably remember the little nugget I have repeated to them since their wee years. “Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.”

So over to you, dear cyber friends. What are some sayings common to your family? And, of course, feel free to add those special truisms that you’ve handed down to your peeps!

Here’s a link to Dana’s latest, a 99 cent prequel to the upcoming Love Inspired Suspense continuity series, True Blue K-9 Unit!

Shield of Protection

A visit with the adorable Sharee Stover

Lenora Worth

I had a chat with one of the new authors on the Love Inspired team and one of my blog partners here. I first met Sharee Stover in Denver at the RWA conference. We were chatting at an afternoon get-together and when I said I was going to the drugstore to replace some things I'd left at home, she asked if I could get her some eyedrops. Of course. What happened after that was a true comedy of errors. A friend and I trekked down the street to the drugstore, both armed with lists of what people needed. Then our phones stared pinging with more requests. After that, it was snapping pictures to send back and forth and making calls to make sure we were picking up the right products. I think the sales associate was ready to boot us out, we became so loud and we were laughing so much! But I got Sharee what she needed and we made the exchange later. The beginning of a beautiful friendship. And y'all know I love to shop--even for eyedrops! How could I refuse this beautiful face?

We are so proud of Sharee. Her first book with LIS came out last April. Here's the intriguing cover:

https://amzn.to/2SALmPI

Tell us about your writing journey and first sale. We both know that was exciting.

I started writing about eight years ago and the process has truly been a wild ride. Writing for Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense is nothing short of a dream come true. And as much of a planner as I am, I can say the process completely took me by surprise! I had been working on my story for a while when I responded to a Facebook post by my now editor for blurbs in March of 2017. She was snowed in. I’ve never been more grateful for snow! I sent my blurb and that sent the wheels into motion. I had to make revisions, but by July, I received THE CALL. I was beyond thrilled and could barely speak through my giant-face-consuming-smile. I screamed, did a little happy dance, and of course, told everyone I knew!

Here’s the full story:

http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/2017/10/getting-the-call-meet-sharee-stover/

 

What made you pitch to Love Inspired? What do you like about writing for LI? What has been a challenge?

I attended a local RWA conference when I’d finished my second book and pitched my romantic suspense story to one of the editors. She was gracious and although my story didn’t get picked up, the information I gained in that conference made me want to write for them all the more. I also met several authors who write for Love Inspired and everyone spoke so highly of Harlequin and the wonderful way they treat their authors. I wanted to be a part of the Harlequin family. 

I love writing for LI because there’s wonderful support, both from the editorial team and my fellow authors. I love reading the stories LI provides. They’re clean and always leave me with that satisfied feeling in the happily-ever-after, and in the case of LIS, full of great nail-biting suspense.

One of my challenges is to find the story that hasn’t been done yet, or to be able to create a new spin off an old theme. As Ecclesiastes says, there’s nothing new under the sun, so I have to dig to find innovative story ideas. The other is to shut off my internal editor and just write without trying to get everything perfect on the first draft.

What message do you hope to give to your readers? And have you had a really great reader letter that uplifted you?

My tagline is Redeeming Suspense because my message is that there is always redemption with God. He takes the messiest people and loves them into the beautiful people he created them to be.

One of the best letters I got was from a total stranger whom I met at a book signing. She said God had put me right where I needed to be that day, so I could meet her and she could buy my book. She said she wasn’t even looking for a Love Inspired Suspense, so she knew it wasn’t by chance that I was there signing that day. That was huge!!

Tell us about your life? Family, pets, favorite activities?

I am married to my real-life hero and have three amazing children ages 9, 18 and 20. They’re my biggest cheerleaders and I am so grateful for their love and support. My husband is a law enforcement officer so he’s also my writing subject matter expert. We have two spoiled dogs, an elderly schipperke-miniature pinscher mix and a five-year-old German Shepherd.

Our family is pretty boring, and we like it that way. My eldest daughter and I both love to read, so lock us up with a stack of books and we’re thrilled. My son is gifted at auto mechanics and is always tinkering with his car in the garage. My youngest daughter is fascinated by dolphins, so I get regular lessons on all things dolphin related. Hubby and I love to take long walks with our dogs too.

What book are you reading now? Any favorites?

I am always reading several books at once, and at the moment I’m reading The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jamie Jo Wright. She’s an amazing writer! Although she has scared the tar out of me a few times. I’m also reading Fugitive Pursuit by Christa Sinclair and An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti. And of course, I’m constantly reading books on craft so I’m knee-deep in Story Trumps Structure by Steven James.

Brandilyn Collins and Terri Blackstock are two of my favorite authors, but there’s too many to name. I read in pretty much all genres except sci-fi/fantasy.

We thank Sharee for chatting with us and I'm glad to have her as a friend and fellow writer. 

Sharee had a question for me--so here goes:

What’s the best advice you received as a writer?

I think the best advice I received was to never compare myself to others. To stay focused on my voice and my writing style. That’s what I try to do. I read a lot of my favorite authors to learn and to enjoy and to pick up on the beat of the story. But I stick to my path and follow my instincts on how to continue my career and how to create the stories I love. People will sometimes push their agendas on you and your career but if it’s not the right time for you, then you have to stand your ground and do what works best in your life. With all the opportunities we have today—this is the best time to be a writer!

(PS--a shout out to Margaret Daley, our other blog partner here. Margaret will post more over the coming months!)

Counting Our Blessings

by Lisa Jordan, @lisajordan

As families and friends are gathering together around the U.S. to celebrate Thanksgiving, we'd like to take time to count our blessing beginning with our readers who read our books and share our stories. Without you, we wouldn't be able to write the stories that glorify Him and minister to others. So, thank you. We love you. We appreciate you. 

And here are other things we're thankful for: 

~*~

I'm thankful for my darling grandchildren who are a constant light in my life.  I'm also thankful for the path my career has taken and all the people along the way who continue to bring me joy and support when I need it the most. -Tracey J Lyons 

~*~

I am thankful every morning at the moment when I open my eyes because then I know God has given me a precious gift. Another day. Without the time to enjoy life, nothing else really matters. -Valerie Hansen

~*~

Wishing everyone a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for my dear family, for the extra time I’ve gotten to spend with my dad and for the many blessings the Lord has given me, including a wonderful career in writing, an awesome agent, Pam Hopkins and my talented and dedicated editor, Emily Rodmell. -Patricia Davids 

~*~

I'm thankful for all the blessings in my life, especially my family and my new son-in-law! -Laura Scott 

~*~

I'm thankful for the miracle of words. They are literally my lifeline. I would not be me without them. And to all the readers who love words too! -Sherri Shackelford

~*~

I give thanks to God for all His blessings...for the gift of life...for the gift of my wonderful husband, my beautiful children and grandchildren...for extended family...for dear friends and for wonderful readers who are the reason I write. I am so very grateful! I pray this season of gratitude will be filled with joy and love and laughter for all of us! Happy Thanksgiving! -Debby Giusti

~*~

This year I’m particularly thankful for those who were called to be eye specialists, joints specialists and back specialists because hubby and I have needed all three recently and we’re so blessed to have been cared for. Blessing to all and have a Happy Thanksgiving. -Lorraine Beatty   

~*~ 

I'm thankful for my Mom. I feel incredibly lucky to still have her in my life when so many of my friends have lost their mothers. -Christa Sinclair

~*~

So many things to be thankful for, but I'm especially thankful for our freedom to worship where we wish and to write the books we desire. I'm thankful for my family and friends who support me with their love and encouragement.  -Lisa Jordan

~*~

Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Represented by Rachelle Gardner, Lisa is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after. Her newest book, Season of Hope, releases in March 2019. She is the Operations Manager for My Book Therapy. Happily married to her own real-life hero for almost thirty years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys family time, kayaking, good books, and playing in her craft room with friends. Visit her at lisajordanbooks.com.

How Endings Impact Your Readers

by Lisa Jordan, @lisajordan

Several years ago, while shopping with friends at Sam’s Club, we milled around the book/DVD section. One of my friends picked up a movie and showed it to another friend in our group since it had one of her favorite actors in it. We had discussed this movie when the trailers were first shown, but none of us had seen it yet. The friend who adores this actor said she refused to watch the movie because she had talked with friends who had seen the movie and were disappointed in the ending—the lead character died in a shocking way. The friend who brought the movie to our attention asked if the movie was any good, despite the ending. The other friend and I spoke at the same time, "Doesn't matter."

Have you ever read the ending of the book to see if you’re going to like how the story is resolved? I admit to being a second-generation ending reader. Sometimes I really try hard, especially while reading suspense, not to skip ahead because I like to guess whom the villain is and if I’m right.

I want a promise of hope and a happily ever after. Since I'm investing my heart in a story and the characters, I want a heart-satisfying conclusion. 

Quite a few years ago, I watched a movie based on a novel written by a popular secular author who writes love stories—notice I did not say romances—yes, there is a difference. I loved the movie’s storyline and adored the characters until I watched the ending with horror. 

My heart had been ripped out!

I sobbed and not in a good way. If I had been reading the book, I would've flung it across the room. I was that angry! I vowed never to read that author's books or view his movies again. I will admit I broke that vow after a friend promised one of his movies did have an HEA ending.

Endings affect the way a reader enjoys a novel. Some readers like me want the fairy tale and happily ever after. Other readers want a satisfying conclusion as long as the story is good. Of course, the novel genre influences the ending, too.  

Romances need to have a happily ever after where boy and girl fall in love and commit to a future. Women’s fiction novels need to have a satisfying ending for the character’s story arc. Suspense and mystery novels should have a solved crime at the end. The villain isn’t always caught, especially if the novel is part of a series, but most often, all loose ends should be tied up neatly for the reader. Fantasy and sci-fi novels should have a satisfying resolution to fit the story premise. Basically, the reader needs to have an answer for the proposed story question at the beginning of the novel.

What about you? Do you read endings first? What kinds of endings upset you? For you writers, what genre do you write and how do you know when you’ve written a satisfying ending?

~*~

Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Represented by Rachelle Gardner, Lisa is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after. She is the Operations Manager for My Book Therapy. Happily married to her own real-life hero for almost thirty years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys family time, kayaking, good books, and playing in her craft room with friends. Visit her at lisajordanbooks.com.

First Friday Fun and lots to Celebrate--Lenora Worth

July was an interesting month. I decided after much speculation and prayer, to fly to Denver to attend RWA. I wasn't sure all year if I'd be able to go. But I did go--sat side-by-side with my friend and fellow transplanted Floridan, Trish Milburn, as we both tried not to be too antsy about flying after many years of driving (or in her case, taking the train.) Our flights went great and we landed in Denver relieved and ready to have fun. I had the best time ever!

I got to see old friends and get lots of hugs, participated in the Harlequin signing along with Marta Perry, Terri Reed, Jo Ann Brown, Patricia David,  and a whole lot of other LI and Harlequin writers. That was such a treat! Of course,, I forgot to get our pictures together. But I have a few pictures to share. So scroll down for those. I also had nice visits with Patricia, Pamela Tracy, and later, Allie Pleiter and also with Mindy Obenhaus. Good therapy sessions! I got to meet some of the new LI writers, too. Sharee Stover is a sweetheart! Laurel Blount is the nicest person and we'd already had fun at a retreat earlier this year! Lunch with Terri Reed, Debby Giusti, Maggie Black and our editors was great. If I missed anyone, I love you all!

The highlight of the trip was having breakfast Wednesday morning with Marta Perry and Carol Steward. We have been friends since we all started out with LI, along with about five other LI writers. We've kept in touch just about every day on our little online loop, helped each other through plots, rejection, family stuff, life stuff, sickness and health and anything from sharing recipes to showing off new outfits! Love these women!

I also had a great time going to publishing events with LI, Harlequin and Tule. Pictures on some of those, too. Then my friend Judy Christie who now lives in Colorado met me for lunch on Thursday and we enjoyed a good hamburger at the Capital Grille, browsed in an old bookstore across the way and thanked her husband profusely for picking us up so I could get back to the hotel in time for a workshop I wanted to attend. (Not to mention also to avoid the heat and a long walk.)

I roomed with Denise Daniels who I've known since 1996 or so. A long time. We caught up on everything and had such fun visiting and comparing our days. I also spent time with a close group I've known and roomed with off and on for years--the Evelettes who are now the Zombie Belles because each time we group text, I hear bells ringing and think the zombies are finally coming!

Here are some pictures:

Carol Steward and me at the RITA awards

Danica Favorite (one of my favorites) with me at the Harlequin Party!

Me with Allie Pleiter and Terri Reed at Harlequin Party.

Me with my amazing editor Patience.

As you can see, I had made the rounds! 

Came home tired but ready to work.

This week I had a nice surprise, too.

I'm celebrating my 70th book with LI and Harlequin:

And to top that off, my friend Katherine Garbera, one of the infamous Zombie Belles (Tinker Belle) is also celebrating her 70th book with Harlequin, too. How great is that!!!! We've posted all over social media because it was better celebrating with a friend, of course.

Anyway, July was a good month and August is going to be pretty good, too. I'm feeling better about life in spite of my always ornery back and other life challenges. Here are my upcoming books from both LIS and Tule Publishing:

This one is out in August from Tule Publishing. (Tule lets Elnora do the writing but still sweet and PG13. Elnora has some standards!)

This is an LIS out in October! A Texas story!

And finally, if you're still with me--here's a treat for everyone. While at RWA, I attended an author's tea sponsored by Tule Publishing at The Brown Palace:

Enjoy!

It was good!

Next month, my partner in crime Margaret Daley will be here for First Friday Fun!

Have you had great times with friends lately. Tell me all about it!!!

Celebrating 25 years of writing books and a few other things--Lenora Worth

Hello. I haven't been on here in a while. Due to some life changes, I'm scaling back on a few things so I can focus on writing. But today is my birthday (I'm 31 twice!!!) So I wanted to celebrate that. Then I realized that this past March marks twenty-five years of my being published in contemporary commercial fiction! It's hard to believe that many years have passed. But oh, the fun I've had along the way! I could go on and on with memories but I do remember that in Orlando at my very first Harlequin party, I had on the same dress as another woman. We took our picture together but I have no idea where that picture is. I remember the price tag on that dress, too. A treat to myself.

I also remember the first time I went to NY in 2003 (I think.) I wore a dress to the Harlequin black-and-white ball that I got on sale for thirty bucks at Dillard's. I still have that dress! I have memories of meeting many of the Ladies here during those times and making lifetime friends. I'm one of the old-timers around here now. Back in the day, I made up Bad Girl names for us because we had to follow so many guidelines in our stories. I was Elnora, of course. And I still am some days. Everyone wanted a bad girl name and while my editors frowned on it, it helped us all to not take ourselves too seriously. (My editors still frown at me a lot now, too.)

Anyway, I'm off to celebrate with Big D all day long, but I'll be checking in from time to time. I want to give away books! So leave a comment and tonight at 9 PM Central time, I'll post two winners.

I'll be giving away the following: One print or e-copy of Their Amish Reunion and one e-book only copy of Undercover Princess (from Tule Publishing.) Two very different stories, but each with their own faith thread.

Help me celebrate 25 years of having the time of my life and being thankful for this trip around the world with another birthday.

And tell me some of your favorite memories. I'd love to hear them!!!

Thank you all for supporting my writing dreams and thanks to all my Love Inspired friends and editors for the fun times, challenges and the always loving friendships!!!! Here's to twenty-five more!

Welcome to the Ladies of Love Inspired--Lenora Worth

Hello, and Happy Easter! We are all excited around here. Today, we launch the new and improved Ladies of Love Inspired blog site--Love Inspired: Stories of Faith and Love for Every Reader.

To kick things off, here is a little poem we put together (kinda, sorta, to the tune of "The Brady Bunch." Hope you enjoy it. We are still building our pages, so please come back for book updates and pictures of the Ladies and our fun times. We'll also introduce you to some new Ladies who've joined the blog. More authors, more books, more posts! This week, we will post fun stuff until we're fully loaded. Meantime, if you have questions or suggestions, let us know! We love our readers!

Oh, and to celebrate, I'm putting together a Lovely Ladies spring box of books and goodies. If you post over the next two weeks, you'll be entered into the contest. I will announce the winner here on Saturday, April 29th!!!

Here's the story of some lovely ladies

Who were writing many lovely books,

All of them had plots of gold, with great endings,

That cleared up all the hooks.

Here’s the story of some hunky heroes who always

make us swoon,

They are strong and hardworking, with dreams that always bring them home.

These are men, who love their women,

And don’t want to wind up all alone.

And so we write some love stories, where the lady always gets her man,

Because they know there’s so much more to this life,

When they kiss and take each other’s hand,

And that's how this hunky, loving man marries a strong and loving wife.

Love Inspired Stories

Love Inspired Stories

Faith and love, that’s the way we make every reader smile.

Allie Pleiter on "Book People"

Ah, the joy of book people.

I’ve been in Nashville Tennessee this week attending the American Christian Fiction Writers conference, which means I’ve spent the last two days around book people.

I love book people.  I am a book person, and nothing makes me happier than to sit around and talk books with other book people.  Sure, I’m a writer, but I go all fan-girl on the author of my latest literary crave just like every other reader.  I suspect I made a fool of myself gushing to Kristy Cambron over The Ringmaster’s Wife, a splendid book that’s been my audiobook companion on the long drive to Nashville. 

My DestiKNITions blog sends me on yarn- and not-so-yarn-related adventures when I travel, and Nashville was no different.  Which is how Lenora Worth, Lynette Eason, and I found ourselves making a quick little excursion yesterday morning to a donut shop and a bookstore.  When we all walked into the bookstore, we all instinctively stopped, inhaled that marvelous scent that all bookstores have, and smiled.  Home.  Books.  Our kind.

It’s fun to watch Lynette win an award.  I love to teach The Chunky Method and help writers discover their productivity.  It’s great to get a chance to promote my latest Love Inspired novel and my new indie series.  All these things are good.

But spending three days in the company of book people and books?   That’s the best of all.

What about you?  Where do you meet your fellow book people?

Readers and Writers... A Match Made in Cyberspace

The internet is a pretty amazing place. If I really stop to think about how it's changed my life, it's really kind of mind-blowing.

Some of my longest-standing writing friendships are with people I got to know on the original AOL Series and Contests boards when we were all starting to write.

I sold my first book to LIS through an online pitch contest.

I've built a world of writing relationships with online acquaintances who have become real life friends. Just think how quickly your FB circle of friends responds when you ask for prayers!

Last week I was visiting my mother in Philly and working on a book set in Texas. It's been a few years since I've been to San Antonio and I had some questions about something I wanted to be sure I got right. Thanks to online friendships, the lovely Jolene Navarro was ready and willing to answer all my questions. I can return the favor by telling all my friends about her new release! And I can have it delivered to my Kindle or Nook app instantly when it releases.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in an online launch party for fellow Craftie Lady Rachel Dylan. I always love these parties because the interaction between readers and authors is SO intense and so much fun.


And that's what I really want to talk about today - how cyberspace has changed reader-writer relationships.

I remember being such a fan girl of my favorite authors when I first discovered romance fiction. I might write a letter, sent via the publisher, that the author might receive and maybe would respond to. I cherished several lovely letters from Mary Jo Putney and they made me feel like I mattered as a reader.

Today we can have almost instant communication between readers and writers either through FB parties, email, Twitter, or blogs like this one.

How do you feel about that?

I've helped host several Facebook parties in the past two years and I noticed one recurring theme: the readers are very excited to have the chance to chat with the authors and the authors are equally excited to chat with the lovely people who read their books. I don't know any writers who weren't readers themselves first, so when we can get together and chat about books, well it's just great FUN!

At Rachel's recent party there was so much conversation about how great it was to get to spend time together chatting about books and our lives. And boy can we talk about our pets!


I asked two of the attendees if I could quote them because I loved their comments:

Jennifer Stevenson Tipton: "I think it is neat how we can all get together from all around the world or country."

Caron Tweet: "One of the reasons I love these parties is because the authors go from being a name to a friend!"

I'd love to see some readers come out and join us here today. Let's talk about our favorite books or whatever is going on in your life.

Or we could talk about pets!

And to my fellow writers - what's your favorite part about interacting with readers?

Let's all connect as readers.  

 

10 Inspiring Quotes for Book Lovers by Teri Wilson

Hello, lovelies! 

Here at Craftie Ladies, some of us write contemporary romance, some of us write historical and some of us write romantic suspense. But there's something we all have in common: books. We're all devoted book lovers, and I'm guessing that you are too.

So in celebration of the love of reading, here are ten inspiring quotes about books...

There is no friend as loyal as a book.

Ernest Hemingway

Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul.

Joyce Carol Oates

A book is a dream you hold in your hand. 

Neil Gaiman

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. 

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it.

Edward P. Morgan

I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books. 

Jorge Luis Borges

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.

Frederick Douglas

We read to know that we are not alone. 

C.S. Lewis 

You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had been alive. 

James Baldwin 

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.

Jorge Luis Borges 

Raising Children to Love Reading

By day, I’m an early childhood educator in my in-home family childcare program. Currently, I teach 5 children, ages 1 to 4 ½. Our days are filled with many educational, hands-on activities to help them to develop and grow.

One of our favorite daily activities is reading. I have shelves and baskets of books. I have boxes of books tucked away because there’s no room for them. I have books stacked in totes to use with specific lessons.

We have our morning reading time after our circle time. During that time, we read books that are specific to our learning theme for that month. Then, once we finish lunch and settle down for naptime, we read different books that help us to learn empathy, manners, imagination, or just plain how to have fun. Once naptime ends, we have quiet reading time while I prepare their snack.

Books have been a mainstay in my house for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories as a child is my mom reading us Bible stories before bed. Those planted seeds encouraged me to grow in God’s love and grace and helped me to love reading. I loved Nancy Drew mysteries, most everything written by the beloved Beverly Cleary, tween angsty books by Judy Blume, and then First Love by Silhouette novels when I was a teen.

Because of one particular book, I became a writer. Without that lifelong love of reading, I may have chosen a different career path. Granted, that particular book may not have been appropriate for a sixteen-year-old girl, but it sparked a passion to create the same happily ever after heart sigh I experienced upon completing that novel.

When my husband and I learned we were pregnant with our first child, one of our baby purchases was a set of children’s books. I read to my boys when they were infants.

When our oldest was a toddler, he didn’t have a favorite blanket or stuffed animal at bedtime—he chose books. He grabbed a few board books and climbed into his big boy bed. His love of reading continued through school where he won reading awards and participated in programs like Battle of the Books.

Our youngest son loved being read to, but in his early elementary years, we learned he had a reading comprehension issue. Thankfully, he had gentle reading specialists who encouraged him to overcome that difficulty. In third grade, he read his first book from cover to cover—Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone. In addition to being well written, that series will always stay close to my heart because it enabled my son to do something he hadn’t done before—escape into the pages of a novel and understand what he was reading.

Raising children to love reading begins from early childhood. Studies have proven many benefits to reading to children including improved receptive and expressive language—the words they understand and the words they speak, positive bonding experiences with caregivers, calming to a child’s active body, improved thinking skills, etc. The list of benefits is too long to list in this post, but I think you get the idea.

Most county libraries have awesome reading programs for children. Many early education programs offer free books to families. Different communities participate in book programs. Books make great gifts for birthdays and holidays. Dollar stores offer great books at low prices.

Reading opens doors to a child’s imagination and invites him on a journey that will encourage positive development and growth for the rest of his life. 

Your Turn: What was your favorite book as a child? What is your favorite childhood reading memory? How has reading to your children or a child you know impacted him or her?