A Picture Book Author Grows Up with Reading

When I learned to read in the fifties, my older brother was positioned next to me on the sofa as my teacher.  His job was to listen as I read. Our mother would listen in the background and help sound out words phonetically. At school there was ‘backup’ on the walls with the words from the Dick, Jane and Spot books that we’d been reading at home.

Then it was my little sister’s turn and we sat on the sofa together reading about Dick, Jane and Spot. Through ‘phonetically sounding out the words’, sheer repetition and someone who would work with her, my sister learned to read.

Early in my life, even before attending school, my mother introduced me to the library. I was not able to check out books until I could write my name in pencil on the accompanying card in the book. I still remember my first time writing on the card, getting the card stamped and walking home with the books in my arms. All my senses were engaged!  My world grew!

Libraries would givesummer contests for anyone willing to read. Just keep a log of all the books and then show up for the final party at the park. Many summers were filled with books that caused my mind to soar. Little did I know that the foundation of an author was being built inside me.

We have campaigns, “No Child Left Behind“, or “Reading is Fundamental”, but what really keeps us a literate nation is family. Unfortunately we see more families ‘fractured’ and no one is there who is ‘sitting on the sofa and ‘sounding out words’ for the child to learn to read.

In an excellent article, “Illiteracy: An Incurable Disease or Education Malpractice?” by Robert W. Sweet, Jr., President and Co-Founder The National Right to Read Foundation, we see that the problem has been discussed since 1955 and that “It is time we begin to move away from ‘what’s new’ and move toward ‘what works’ “. 

Mr. Sweet then gives some great suggestions for what we can do:

• Establish a chapter of theNational Right to Read Foundation in your community.
• Identify parents, teachers, and community leaders who are successfully teaching phonics to children at home or in the classroom.
• Organize workshops where trained teachers can share the benefits of phonics instruction with parents, teachers, school board members, and the press.
• Teach your child to read at home, before he or she goes to school.

• Submit an article to your local newspaper describing how your child learned to read using phonics.

What I’ve highlighted is only a portion of the literacy issue, but just like “Reading is Fundamental“, family is foundational. Beginning a ‘foundation’ of literacy in your family and early in your children’s lives gives them a respect for the written word. Spend time enjoying the pleasure of reading together, “Read to Them Please!”