Reading is Fundamental

How many people remember the television commercials and the slogan 'Reading is Fundamental'? For those of you that may be unfamiliar Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) was founded in 1966 to motivate children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is to reach underserved children from birth to age 8. Through a national, grassroots network of community volunteers at 21,000 program sites, RIF provides 5 million children with 17 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.

I started reading at a very young age mainly because I lived in a library. My father was a custodian in the library and in the 1970s New York City custodians didn't just clean up the library; they were also the onsite caretakers for the libraries. My father was the custodian/caretaker for the library on 179th street in Manhattan. When I was about 7 years old I remember asking my father if I could read a book in the adult section of the library. My father told me the only way I could read a book in the adult section was if I finished all the books in the children's section. I think he originally said this to deter me so that he could finish watching the Dallas Cowboys but alas; for those of you that know me, you know I believed whatever my father said to be law. I made it my business to take time out of everyday and methodically go through the entire children's section until I read every book. It took me approximately two years and when I was 9 years old I reported back to my father that I finished all the books in the children's section. When my father took me downstairs to quiz me and realized I had gone through almost every book (obviously new books come in all the time) he gave up and gave me his blessings. The first adult book I read was Wifey by Judy Blume, I can't even remember what this book is about, but I remember being so proud to be able to finally read an adult book and there was no turning back after that.

As a child I enjoyed Encyclopedia Brown and all the Judy Blume books, in my teenage years I was enraptured with Danielle Steel books. I joined the military and well let's just say books became something I did in my spare time. I began reading again in earnest in 1993 when I met a young lady named Nadege, who was not only an avid reader like me but also a quick reader. Nadege and I are known to go through four to five books a month easily. She was one of the rare people I have met that could finish a book as quickly I could. Nadege introduced me to a much larger world of romance, Julia Quinn, Nora Roberts, Johanna Lindsey just to name a few and she was also the first person to introduce me to African American novelist and series. I remember the first African American Novel I ever read was by Brenda Joyce and it was a series, it was such a fantastic ride to meet these characters and then follow them along, after the happily ever after. To meet their friends, families and the next generations as well as watching characters grow.

My fascination with series started with the continuation of a good story. When I read a book, it's to escape from the real world and all the everyday drama. I enjoy being able to go into a world, whether its murder, love or comedy. It's just a way for me to live someone else's pain, love or laughter just for a few hours a day. My definition of a good book is when I turn the last page, close the book and want to light a cigarette (figuratively speaking that is). These days I'm enamored with an author by the name of Nora Roberts but it's actually her pseudonym JD Robb that stimulates me. Twice a year JD Robb publishes the newest addition to the Eve Dallas Series. These books are not only exciting, and three dimensional, the characters are so well written; and so realistic that they jump off the page at you and make you want to know the characters or people like them.

I urge you to read to your children. I started reading to my daughter at a very young age and now at the age of 13 she is just like me; she can and will read up to six to eight books a month if you let her. I encourage her reading and being involved with the library. My daughter's godparents and I try our best to challenge her to read books that will make her think and build her vocabulary. My vocabulary definitely improved the more I read, I didn't realize it right away but it has definitely assisted me in my every day life. My son who is 2 years old already has a love for books, I plan on taking the same time I did with my daughter and introducing him to the world of literature.

If nothing else, reading will increase your vocabulary and grammar. Reading has been said to assist a non-English speaking people to learn five new words or phrases a day just by reading 2 pages in English. When reading to your children, I would suggest reading something that matters to them, they will remember much more. For example, my son loves Diego and Dora the Explorer and the minute I pick up a book with these characters on them he is very excited to sit down and look at the pictures and recite the words as I say them. With your older children after they have finished a book, ask them to discuss how they felt and what the book meant to them. It helps you as a parent to understand their comprehension and sometimes if they are reading a book that is a little boring, maybe you can make it fun for them.

Take the time to read to your children and introduce them to all types of books; one of the great things about my dad that I will always appreciate is him letting me read myself silly. I didn't' really watch television as a child mostly because I felt like I needed all my spare time to read all the books in the children's section. I don't expect any of you to take television away from your children but do make the time to read with your children and expose them to all sorts of literary work. It's a win-win situation for both you and your children. After forty years Reading is Fundamental is still in business and are always looking for volunteers, for more information on Reading is Fundamental check out their website www.rif.org.