Saturday, April 12, 2008

D.E.A.R. Friends,

April 12 is DEAR Day, (drop everything and read day). I did not know this until I heard it on the radio yesterday, so I figure many others don't as well.

I found this poem a coworker had shown me, and I wrote it in the cover of my date book to remind me to always make time to read with Anthony. I don't know who wrote it, but I liked it and since today is DEAR day, it seems appropriate to share with you.

You may have tangible wealth untold,
caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you will never be ~
I had a mother that read to me.

I have started reading books to Anthony already and he has a very short attention span at the moment, but sometimes he really does seem to be listening to me and looking at the pictures. We haven't made reading a bedtime ritual just yet, but I try to read to him everyday at least a couple books. Every time I go to Target I pick up a couple more books for him. Our collection has outgrown his book bin. We will need to invest in a bookcase soon. Or maybe just get a library card and start checking them out instead of buying them. I wonder if libraries have little baby books too? I don't know, I haven't been to a library in years. I have a bad habit of forgetting to return the books, so it's just easier to buy them.

10 comments:

Shannon said...

I read to Madeline starting on the first day home. She still loves to be read to. I get complemented often on her vocabulary. If I did anything right by her so far, it id definitely the reading we do together.

Shannon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I work at a library but I had not heard that it was DEAR day, nor have I ever heard of it. Anyway, we have tons of board books at the library.

Tina in CT said...

We always read a lot to our daughter and she grew up loving to read. I can't go to sleep at night without reading. Even during camping trips, I was in my sleeping bag with my flashlight.

Natalie said...

Not terribly interested in DEAR day, but I have the same exact problem with returning things on time. Especially movies.

Francie said...

I had just finished a book on Friday and started another one yesterday (on DEAR day!) Pretty cool and I didn't even know!
In Sabbath School yesterday, Anthony seemed to really pay attention when I was reading his book to him!

Rachael said...

That's a sweet little poem.

When Kristen was a baby, I'd read stacks and stacks of books to her daily. It's much more challenging with four, but I still try!

~ V ~ said...

I just came across that poem on an eBay auction today, of all places. It is by Strickland Gillilan if you wish to add it to your journal.

~ V ~ said...

BTW, the full poem is here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strickland_Gillilan

Scoobers said...

I've put DEAR Day into my calender for next year.

i love that quote.