Borders Books & Music of Flint, Michigan, Keep Kids Reading

Everyone loves books, especially kids. Reading for kids expands their knowledge and helps their imaginations grow. Kids who read books have a higher chance of becoming successful as adults. Young children tend to absorb more information than a grown adult.

In a slowing economy, Flint, Michigan has few recreational spots for youngsters to explore their world. One local business located in the Flint Township area is working to change that.

Borders Books & Music, located on Miller Rd. in the shopping district, is starting a new reading program designed for young children.

The program will consist of a dedicated reader, an employee of the store, to read to young children each week. Target age groups are 5 and under, and 6-10 years of age. Each week, parents can come enjoy themselves and shop or stop by the café while their children sit in the children's section and listen to their favorite books being read to them.

"It's a great experience for young children who may not have much access to books," says store manager Patricia Marcus.

"Every week, a new book for two different age groups will be read. They won't be very long books, but enough to keep the kids intrigued. Our goal is to get kids exploring what is out there and the power of knowledge," she expressed.

However, the new program won't go into affect until after the first of the year.

"The holiday season is busy. We want to make sure children are safe and protected and not easily lost during the busiest time of the year."

The program has been planned for some time now and required approval by the district management team. Careful consideration and construction of the program had to be taken with caution for the safety of the children attending.

Children will be able to attend the reading beginning the second week in January. Towards the back of the store in the children's section, couches suitable for kids will be expanded and parents are urged to pack their child's favorite snack and a juice.

"We will be reading to two different age groups. However, we anticipate the program to be primarily made up of young children under the age of 5. So we want to make sure they're content and situated before our reader begins," Patricia says.

"We're encouraging parents to take an hour of their time each week to bring their children out, pack a small snack for the kids to eat while listening. And we hope that the kids will just sit back, relax, and enjoy the variety of books we will read."