Can you recall at what age your love of reading developed? The one thing my mama never had an issue providing me with money for were those book order forms we received monthly at school. Which is why I excitedly partnered with Scholastic for their The Story Starts Here picture books campaign for young readers.

When a child reads on their own, or someone reads to them, their minds are able to open up to exploration and imagination. Reading builds vocabulary and teaches children to be creative with their minds. Just last night we read a picture book called Friendshape. It exploded the world of friends being all different shapes and sizes, and our relationships with them. Em even learned a new word “quarrel”. Through the pictures on that specific page, Em was able to take a good guess at what quarrel meant and was pretty spot on.

Recently we’ve started a new tradition. Besides the bedtime stories, every evening we put 20 minutes aside for quiet time. Everyone picks a book or two and just reads (or pretends). Sometimes we do it together, sometimes we read our own books. Reading daily for children helps to boost their vocabulary by introducing new words, and keeps their brains churning and learning.

Reading to the girls has rebirth my thirst for reading. I used to read a lot, but it seems as I’ve gotten older, time has gotten shorter and there never seems to be enough of it to be able to just sit down and read. When J-bird was growing up I read a lot, and he always saw me with a book in hand. Realizing I need to continue to set these kinds of examples for the girls I’ve started reading again. And the girls love seeing Mama read, and love to cuddle up to read their own books. Reading together helps to connect us – especially when it seems that the days are flying by and the girls are growing up too quickly.

Want to ignite a love of reading for your children? Reading to your child can begin even before they are born. The Story Starts Here will help you do that from day one. By simply reading to your baby while they are still growing inside will help to start a good habit for when they arrive. Picture books are perfect for younger kids because they can visualize what you are reading to them. Like with the picture book Peek-A-Boo Farm. This book was so much fun for them. As I read the description on each page of the animal, Em was able to guess who the animal was. Turning the flap down revealed the animal, and she enjoyed shouting out Peek-A-Boo! Another favorite of hers was If You’re A Robot and You Know It. This fun interactive pop-up book engaged Em in helping me act out the scene by pulling the tab as read/sang the familiar tune based on the classic version of If You’re Happy and You Know It.

Scholastic has been a household name since I was a kid, and will continue to be so because of their large selection of books that are perfect for young readers. Scholastic is giving your family the opportunity to explore their beautiful selection of picture books with a The Story Starts Here Picture Books giveaway. Also be sure to download these fun picture book based printable activity sheets!

Do you have a bedtime routine that helps your child fall asleep? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Learn more about Scholastic’s The Story Starts Here and follow them on Twitter

& be sure to share your story time socially with #TheStoryStartsHere

The Story Starts Here Picture Books Giveaway!

One (1) winner will receive a collection of five (5) Scholastic picture books, including:

• Peek-a-boo Farm by Joyce Wan
• If You’re A Robot And You Know It by David A. Carter (lyrics by Musical Robot)
• Where’s Walrus? And Penguin? by Stephen Savage
• Zen Socks by Jon J Muth
• Friendshape by Amy Krause Rosenthal (illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld)

 

One lucky reader will have the chance to win a set of The Story Starts Here Library Starter set of books, as mentioned above, ARV $76. The Story Starts Here giveaway will run from 12/02/15 until 12/21/15 at 11:59PM EST. All entrants must be at least 18 years of age or older and residents of the United States. You must use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The materials, above mentioned prize, samples and/or compensation, were provided by Scholastic for sharing this information and giveaway; however, I am not responsible for the prize fulfillment. The sponsor of this event will be responsible for fulfillment of prize. The prize may be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please. Only one entrant per household (ip address). One winner per household, email address, IP address or home address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. All entries are optional; however, the more tasks you complete the greater your chances of winning. Confirmed Winner(s), via Random.org, will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.