The Books Are In!

The book selected for our All-Church-Read, “Then There Were Five,” by Elizabeth Enright, are in!

Originally published in 1944, this book follows the escapades of the Melendy Children, who, according to the author, “were made out of wishes and memory and fancy…while I was writing about these children, they often seemed to me like people I knew.”

I have wonderful memories of being read to and reading when I was a child, and I have wonderful memories of reading to my daughter. While she was home over winter break, she asked me to record myself reading The Little House books aloud.

There are so many benefits to reading to and with children. Reading provides a wonderful opportunity for you and your child(ren) or grandchildren to connect. Hearing a story read aloud helps children develop listening skills. Listening to books being read improves cognitive and language development, along with expanding a child’s vocabulary, increasing their attention span, and opening up their imagination. Hearing a story without watching it on a TV or movie screen opens up whole new worlds as kids imagine what the story looks like in their heads.

Be consistent — try to make reading a part of your routine.

Take your time — make reading a dedicated activity.

Make it fun — use different voices or other dramatics to make the story come to life.

Um, those sound like good reasons for all of us to read!

See you in church!!