Ready to Read Blog
I'm a retired pediatrician and our office participated in the Ready to Read book distribution. As pediatricians we really enjoyed/enjoy giving books to children and their parents. I think reading to children has many effects. Not only do the children learn from the content but often, especially with the best children's books, their parents also learn from the content. In addition they are usually physically close and sharing a pleasurable experience. The "pleasantness" can influence their enjoyment of reading throughout life. This became apparent to me when I realized that when I thought of reading, I tried to recreate my mother's lap - cozy places with pillows, etc. Best wishes for on-going success with the Ready to Read program.
Donna Lou Ritter, M. D.
Pediatrics, PC
One of my biggest challenges, as a volunteer reader, is a child's initial shyness. Not being afraid of looking silly goes a long way in overcoming another person's shyness. I get most of my inspiration from the books I select from the library.
One of my favorites is Baghead by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, which features a child going through his day with a brown paper bag on his head because... well, I don't want to spoil the surprise ending.
I've taken to keeping a couple of brown grocery bags in my Ready to Read tote just in case a bout of shyness keeps the kids close to the parent urging them to, "Go ahead, listen to a story."
I stand the bag, complete with holes cut out for eyes and a mouth, right next to the book and, yes, if it comes down to it, I'll even put it over my head. Luckily, someone can usually be counted on to wear the bag over his or her head while I read. Then we pass the bag around so the children can share what they would do today with a bag on their head.
When I've earned their attention, I still thrive to keep it once the bag has served its purpose.
Two other books the children enjoy are Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney and The Big Yawn by Keith Faulkner.
Max finds two sticks and proceeds to tap out rhythms he hears out on the street. I encourage the kids to use their fingers as two sticks and tap along with Max.
In The Big Yawn, we yawn along with all the animals "Opening their mouths' to yawn," as darkness overtakes the jungle. Use caution with this one, though, as it tends to make everyone, including the reader, rather sleepy.
The first step to volunteer reader strategizing starts at the grocery store when asked, "Paper, or Plastic?"
Go paper.
Beth Carter
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader
The physicians and staff at Pediatrics, PC, are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Kalamazoo Public Library’s Ready to Read program.
At every age level, the books that we are privileged to give to our patients are received with keen enthusiasm.
We revel in the 6 month and 1 year olds who get hold of a book and start eagerly exploring it with all of their senses (plus saliva), the preschoolers who immediately ask a parent or an older sibling to start reading this treasured new acquisition to them “right now”, the school-entry-aged children whose fearful anticipation of immunizations is so often ameliorated by the appearance of a book they can “take home to keep.”
In our electronic/video age, I feel fortunate to be able to give families a tangible reminder that reinforces the message we give them about the importance of early and frequent reading for their children’s educational, social, mental, and spiritual growth.
Often, as I give a book to an older child, the parent has remarked to me that the book that I gave that child at a previous examination has been his/her favorite for years – Big and Small for the one year olds and Goodnight Moon for the two year olds are particular standouts.
It has been fun for me to distribute books that I enjoyed as a child. At the same time, I am somewhat wistful to think that many families are unfamiliar with books that I consider children’s classics. Ready to Read has allowed me to introduce a new generation to Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Caps for Sale, Curious George, Blueberries for Sal, and Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, to name a few.
Many thanks to the Kalamazoo Ready to Read Program and to its many supporters! Thank you Andrea! Keep the books coming!
Mark Blazek, M.D.
Pediatrics, PC
"There's an activity table off to the side. It is colorful, filled with sand, and has stuff to move around with magnets. This is where they go first. I've accepted this, but also position myself to intercept them on their way, presenting the brightest-covered book in my arsenal. "Would you like to listen to a story?" I ask in a voice that says "this really is the most awesome opportunity you're ever going to be offered while in a doctor's office waiting room."
Two of them give me a strange look, unconvinced. The other actually looks torn between the two options. I let him off the hook, suggesting he play first and then come back if he wants to hear a story later.
I read a book to myself, out loud; just loud enough so that it appears interesting, yet softly enough so that they would have to silence the activity table to hear me. They do just that: silence and listening. For some reason they must be re-invited before they'll give in to a book.
When we've reached the end of a book, I'm handed three more, from three different hands. "Read this one next!" We reach the end of our fourth when someone walks over and tells them it's time to go.
One stands up, puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "Mom, look," as if to say, "Look what I found."
They all wave to me, smiling as they leave and I feel that for a short moment my books and I were something surprising and wonderful that they have found... something like treasure."
Beth Carter
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader
"I volunteer for Ready to Read on Tuesdays in the waiting room of the Kalamazoo County Department of Human Services. It is a wonderful time for me and the children. They are so eager to have someone read to them and if they can read, I let them read a couple of books to the group. Their favorite books are “Goodnight Gorilla,” “Don't Wake up Mama” and all the “Spot” books because they get to help me by lifting flaps to see what is there!"
Betty Sanford
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader
"Every week I volunteer at a Loaves & Fishes food pantry distributing emergency food supplies. The pantry serves many families so I have the opportunity to give a lot of Ready to Read books to preschool children. Recently a 4 year old child’s eyes lit up as he grabbed "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." His mother couldn't believe the book was free! This is just one more reason to love Ready to Read."
Nancy Kehrle,
Loaves and Fishes Volunteer