Why I Love “I Love To Read” Month

I Love “I Love To Read Month”!

Ever since I was a little kid, every February has brought with it a little bit of magic to my school and now adult experiences! Whether it was scholastic book fairs where we could take a break from school to go and look at all the coolest new books that were out; the “Drop Everything and Read” chimes on the announcements interrupting gym glass or math so we could escape into reading; or simply the fact that everyone was encouraged to share in the thing I loved the most, I love “I Love To Read Month”.

It was last January when my first kids book We Need Everyone came out, and the following February was a whirlwind of adventures and book readings. I loved every minute of it. To now be on the other side of it all, as an author. It was and is a joy to see schools and students picking up the book and exploring the themes and the world that we created together. I love to see the exploration of various gifts and the celebration of our abilities. I love sharing the free teachers guide with teachers, and I especially love being able to hear from students directly who have benefited from reading it. Another fun and surprising new element to this month for me is the addition of Little By Little: You Can Change The World being out, because it allows me to explore my story in a much more visual way than I ever was able to before.

If you have been part of my I Love To Read Presentations, you’ll know as much as I love the library, I love being loud even more - and so many of my presentations happen in the gym, with the book projected as big as we can on the wall. This allows me to really rile up the students with questions and they in turn get my riled up with their excitement and energy. We direct all of that into exploring what our gifts are, sharing our experiences about our cats and also reminding the people around us how gifted they are too. It sounds cheesy, but it really is a dream come true for me as a former library kid who used to feel lonely to see the way this book can bring people together really makes me smile.

I loved this month before when I was a reader, and I think I love it even more now that I am an author!

Here’s to all the stories that are coming in the future, all the stories that were told in the past and the story that you and are are creating together as you read these words!

Let’s keep reading!