In the rocking chair the reader sits, holding a book, making a story come to life.  All the children are gathered round, some wiggling, some pestering, but the majority are eagerly attentive.  Because better than any magician, the voice of the reader unlocks a different world within the room - multiple characters are formed right from the enthusiastic reader's very lips, and the story sinks its message into the space around the rocking chair, around the gathered children.  Words and images play in the children's minds, and though the story might not be remembered until the ends of their days, the idea of a story coming to life and recoginition of the power of words will remain real. 

With one free library card, you can make an entire life rich.  Starting to read aloud to a child early in life has its benefits.... Vocabulary grows.  Imagination soars.  Knowledge of language and culture deepens. 

The above scene is from a classroom, but similar circumstances can easily be created within the home. 

Whether reading aloud to children who are very young, with lilting rhythm and rhyme, or reading to middle aged children about deeper concepts to help them understand they are not alone in their feelings and concerns, this one simple step can bridge a healthy relationship with words and story for a lifetime. 

Even as adults, the presence of a storyteller can remain with us in the form of audiobooks. 

And the best part is, all this will remain free.  Come visit your local library!

Where to start?  Check these out today...

Babies and up (colorful pictures and wordplay):

Younger readers (series books):

Juvenile:

Young Adult:

Adult audiobooks: