Baby Logan (3 weeks old already 😳) and I have accepted a long-term reading challenge, with the goal of reading “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.” I recently discovered this challenge online and thought it sounded like a good start for us as reading buddies. I think we can do it!! We are off to a good start with book number two: “Sleep Baby, Safe and Snug” by Dr. John Hutton, illustrated by Leah Busch.
For more information on the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge, click here.
Hey Book Lovers 📚❤️
It’s Banned Books Week 2019, an annual reading celebration/challenge/event where readers (and non-readers) everywhere are encouraged to pick up challenged and banned books. What exactly ARE challenged/banned books? I’m so glad you asked!
The American Library Association (ALA) has a lot to say on the subject, and this week is the perfect time to investigate for yourself. Here’s a quick blurb from the official ALA website:
Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
Click here for a list of recently (within the last few years) challenged or banned books, so you can know exactly which titles to pick up and read!
Since this is a children’s books blog, you might also want to explore this list of frequently challenged children’s books.
Now that you know a little more about BBW and the awesome organization behind this great event, you can join the fight against censorship and celebrate the books you love. Even if you decide to read a book precisely because it has been targeted, you are still fighting the good fight to keep our beloved books on the shelves!!
So, tell me…which targeted titles excite you the most? Feel free to comment with your picks for this special week. And, of course, make a habit of reading banned books all year long!!
Happy “Forbidden” Reading,
My first child arrived ahead of schedule on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019. He weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz and is a wonderful blessing. He’s only been on the outside a short 8 days but he has changed my life irrevocably. After over a week now of precious little sleep and hours spent caring for this little person, I took a few minutes this afternoon to read Logan his first book outside of the womb. We have been reading together for months now, but the books were Mommy’s. “Curious George Visits the Library” is a good start to get this little boy on the reading road. I read it to him while we nursed. It might seem silly to read to babies, but I believe it’s never a wasted endeavor. Babies respond to things in amazing ways, and sometimes we never know what effects our actions have until much later. It’s a good thing we are getting started early. Logan can’t understand the words but he can experience the tones and sounds while I’m reading aloud. If nothing else, he can appreciate Mommy’s voice even more than he did in utero. (At least he can hear it more clearly now!!) For those skeptics who believe there’s no point in reading to infants or babies, there is a wealth of research and information confirming just the opposite. I believe we can influence our children in the most positive ways–and, in my humble opinion, reading to them (from the earliest ages) can kickstart the best lifelong habits. Logan and I are on the road to Raising a Reader! Wish us luck 😉
Baby Stole My Book 