When my son Quinn was 2 years old, I had a jaw dropping moment. I can still picture him standing in the hallway leaning on a large stick and declaring, “look mom, I have a walking stick like Grandfather Twilight.” Grandfather Twilight is a character in a picture book by Barbara Berger that I read to him the 50 gazillion times he requested me to read it! I put my jaw back in place and wiped the tears of joy from my face and shouted excitedly, “my boy just made his first literary reference.”
They say picture books provide more unusual words than a child would typically hear in everyday conversation. Quinn wouldn’t have known what a walking stick was at the age of two - I didn’t need them back then, being the robust, coordinated mama that I was. But he learned it from Barbara Berger’s beautiful book, and he learned that "twilight" is that time when it’s not quite dark and not quite light.
When we read to our kids, not only are we reinforcing the bond between us, we are loading them with vocabulary, information about their world and the larger world (background information), and helping them understand how a story is structured which prepares them for independent reading. We are teaching them empathy and compassion, exposing them to art, humor, resilience---you see where I’m going here! Who knew that a “simple” picture book could be such a powerful vehicle for knowledge and early literacy?
Okay, here comes the sales pitch. Are you ready? We’ve got picture books -- millions organized by topic. So, whether your child is interested in dump trucks or dinosaurs or something in between - we got you! Visit any Timberland branch, sign up for the Summer Library Program, opens a new window, get a free book, and check out our amazing Picture Book City!, opens a new window Take your child to storytime, opens a new window at your local library—they happen almost every day of the week.
Tell us about your jaw-dropping experience when your child uses a new big word or tell us about a fun fact she learned in a book about capybaras, or when she asks for a book instead of a toy! And while you’re at it, join the Summer Library Program yourself— when your child sees you reading, it sets a positive example and shows that reading is fun.
TRL’s Summer Library Program (SLP) runs through August 31st and is open to all ages!
During Summer Library Program the library is the place to be to find captivating books to read, learn something in hands-on creative and science-based programs, explore the beautiful outdoors and read along the way by visiting a StoryTrail, or experience something new at one of the many exciting events happening at our 29 branches and out in the community all summer long. Check out all the fun programs coming up in our online Events Calendar!
