| In the last 2 years my grandchildren have learned | | | | so soothing she really had to fight to stay awake. |
| to read and beg to read to us. They have | | | | As soon as it finished she wanted to take it to |
| discovered that there are many places that can | | | | bed with her. |
| be visited in a children's story book. That there | | | | I put it in her little CD player by her bed, and I |
| are many stories that can transport them to | | | | got in bed beside her. She went to sleep and as it |
| another place and time. | | | | finished she mumbled, "Please play it again." I did. |
| Each child likes to have a turn in reading a story | | | | And every time I went into her room to check |
| and when it is Alexandra the 4 year old's turn, | | | | on her, I pushed the button to play it again. Even |
| she always follows with her finger and tries to | | | | though she was asleep I knew she was enjoying |
| read it the best she can. We all help her but she | | | | it. |
| ends up making up most of the story. | | | | The next morning at 5:30 am she woke up her |
| What a great family time we have together, | | | | parents to get them to listen to it with her. She |
| reading and helping her read. I wouldn't want to | | | | loves that story and she said she wants to "listen |
| miss it for the world. It is really great that as | | | | to it every night". This is so much better than |
| grandparents we get to have an extended family. | | | | watching TV while she is falling asleep. |
| This reading time each night has brought our | | | | I am so happy that I got the kids books instead |
| family so much closer together. The oldest boy is | | | | of toys to bring back to them. I travel to Hawaii |
| 7 and sometimes he has time to read one of the | | | | many times and I always bring back stories of |
| children's story books while we make breakfast in | | | | the Hawaiian culture and the sea animals so they |
| the mornings. | | | | can learn something new about another part of |
| Then they all sit at the kitchen bar and each one | | | | the world. |
| takes turns reading jokes from their new joke | | | | Ever since we have started this children's story |
| books. I just bought them at the book fair this | | | | book reading at night, the kids have cut way |
| year. This is a morning thing. This we find, has | | | | down in video games and TV. At first it was |
| made them so happy and excited to get to the | | | | difficult for them, but now; they wouldn't go back |
| breakfast bar so they can read to us. | | | | to the way they were. They would rather read a |
| Also, the jokes get them in a great mood for the | | | | book and they are so much happier. There is way |
| day. No more mornings rushing around in bad | | | | less arguing and no more nightmares. The entire |
| moods just trying to wake up. Yes, books | | | | family has become helpful to each other and we, |
| outweigh the TV and video games any day. The | | | | the adults are, well, ecstatic. |
| kids are in a much better mood all the time. | | | | So, our family has come to believe - and live all |
| When I went to the North Shore Lighthouse in | | | | those rumors about how reading childrens story |
| Hawaii this last trip, I bought a bedtime book with | | | | books are far better for the child than TV. I think |
| a CD. Last night I sat with the grandkids and we | | | | it is better for the adults also. But, then, I grew |
| listened while the oldest boy followed in the book | | | | up reading all the time. I notice I am way happier |
| with his finger on each word. | | | | with less TV and more reading. So, Reading has a |
| Alexandra was so tired she could hardly keep her | | | | really good effect on the entire family. Life is so |
| head up. She has only turned 4. Then there was a | | | | fun! Let's read more! |
| lullaby in Hawaiian and then English. This book was | | | | |