| | We have a "Book Nook" in our WA home. The book nook is an area that is amongst all of our bedroom entrances and is larger than a hallway, but not quiet room-size. This oddly shaped space in our significantly smaller home in WA State was much needed. So, we got creative. We took a few of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves from our library room in our CO house and turned this seemingly useless space into a reading area for the kids, complete with leopard print beanbags, huge chalkboards, board games, puzzles, and all sorts of arts and crafts sundries, etc. Tonight, as I am sitting in my reading chair in the living room, I can see the area that we call the Book Nook. But more than that, I can hear the sounds being made by a little boy, who is sitting in his dad's lap on the leopard print beanbag. And the sounds, oh the sounds, make me smile and cry, all at the same time. What are these sounds? They are of my boy, my precious son, READING!!!!!!! Seriously, he just read a book to his dad, sounding out syllables one by one, but reading nonetheless. Today, when we got home from school, I began reading a classic book to him. In the middle of it, he says, "Mommy, I want to read a book." So, we found this amazing site online that has online books to read and it also helps with pronunciation of the words, if needed. And, he read a story to me. Actually, he read two stories to me. It was cool! Reading is so very special to me. I grew up in a small town in rural Louisiana and about 100 yards from my parents' house was a one-room library that I retreated to quiet often. To me, books are portals to adventure, amazing avenues to learn just about anything, and sometimes an escape from the chaos of life. I remember wondering if Jadon would learn to read. Would it be easy? Or, would it be hard? Would he enjoy it? Or would it be a chore? I guess my questions have been answered because as I type, a five-year old boy, who is supposed to be on his way to bed, is sitting on the stairs holding two books and sounding out words. I LOVE IT!!!! Now, time to get him to go to bed. |
