Story Time

There is something magical about reading books to children. Even in this world of TV, audio books, video games and electronic entertainment, the value and relational benefit of of paper books remains undiminished. Hardly anything fosters fledgling imaginations and relational bonds more than just sitting down to read a story together with our children. And it's not just about the story. It's also just being together. The busy schedules and electronic distractions of this world drive a subtle wedge in relational time and priorities that is difficult to see ... and even harder to measure. But it's there. 

Are books too old fashioned? May it never be. In a world that is increasingly virtual and isolating, children's books provide a tactile, shared connection that is like nothing else. There is a lot more happening than just words when we read a book to a child, especially one that might be entwined with our own childhood. Nothing can replace that, nor should it. Shared books create shared space and shared time. It provides connection, teaches traditional lessons, and it fosters a sense of shared imagination. It fosters an irreplaceable "with-ness" that few other activities compare with. Grab ahold of story time while children are still at impressionable ages and just read. And , by the way, make sure your children also see you reading actual books as well. Read. Together.

STORY TIME

ALMOST ANYONE CAN READ

BUT WHEN YOU READ TO ME

YOU BRING ALIVE A MAGIC WORLD

THAT I CAN CLEARLY SEE

AS I SIT UPON YOUR LAP

AND WATCH THE PAGES TURN

I'M LOST ON VOYAGES FAR AWAY

I LISTEN AND I LEARN

YOU NEVER EVER SKIP A PAGE

LIKE OTHERS OFTEN DO

YOU KNOW THAT MY EXCITEMENT

COMES FROM DEEP IN YOU

YOU ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR VOICE A BIT

WHEN VILLAINS ARE ABOUT

AND WHEN YOU FEEL THE TIME IS RIGHT 

YOU'RE NOT AFRAID TO SHOUT

BUT WHAT MEANS THE MOST TO ME

IS WHEN A BOOK IS DONE

AND HOW I LOVE TO HEAR YOU SAY,

"LET'S READ ANOTHER ONE!"

        By Frank Carpenter ©