President Carrie Hewitt led the discussion Tuesday morning on our first week back for in-person meetings at the Surf City Welcome Center. She noted that April 12th is D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) Day. A national celebration of reading that encourages families to stop everything and read together. Reading is a great way for kids to develop a strong vocabulary and imagination, not to mention concentration and creativity. This is especially true for kids but is also true for adults. Carrie volunteered several books she had enjoyed during COVID, some of which were, The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, The Silent Patient by Alex Michalides and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
We then went around the room for Kiwanians in attendance to talk about their suggested reading list. As the discussion continued the theme evolved into a discussion of children books and titles appropriate for children and how Kiwanis should be addressing the question of ‘no child left behind’ when it comes to reading.
Sadly as Tim Horner noted, Les King missed this meeting. Tim was positive that Les would have held the floor for the remainder of our allotted time. As a second choice Tim reflected on his experience as an assistant to a Children’s Library Aid and Storyteller (Gerry Horner). Many times his task had been to review Cladecott and Newbury Award books being added to the library collections. Tim loved the stories and how they could stimulate a child’s imagination. This, to me (Tim), is essential in the development of a child to provide the stimulus for the growth of future education. We, as Kiwanians, always try to emphasize that every child is important, has value, has all the attributes to be important in the future of our nation. If we limit and restrict what a child can read by some set of arbitrary rules we have put a governor, a fixed limit on that child’s mind.
As a point Tim referenced a book written by a friend of Gerry’s, Bill Lepp (illustrated by David Wenzel) titled The King of Little Things. Bill is a nationally-known Storyteller from West Virginia, author, retired Methodist Minister and five time West Virginia Liars Champion. Bill’s book presents a wonderful story of big versus little and what really matters in life. A must read for all. As we reach out to children I hope we can always remember it’s the little things that really count.
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Posted: April 15, 2021 by mbenson
Kids and Reading
Carrie Hewitt and Tim Horner
President Carrie Hewitt led the discussion Tuesday morning on our first week back for in-person meetings at the Surf City Welcome Center. She noted that April 12th is D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) Day. A national celebration of reading that encourages families to stop everything and read together. Reading is a great way for kids to develop a strong vocabulary and imagination, not to mention concentration and creativity. This is especially true for kids but is also true for adults. Carrie volunteered several books she had enjoyed during COVID, some of which were, The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, The Silent Patient by Alex Michalides and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
We then went around the room for Kiwanians in attendance to talk about their suggested reading list. As the discussion continued the theme evolved into a discussion of children books and titles appropriate for children and how Kiwanis should be addressing the question of ‘no child left behind’ when it comes to reading.
Sadly as Tim Horner noted, Les King missed this meeting. Tim was positive that Les would have held the floor for the remainder of our allotted time. As a second choice Tim reflected on his experience as an assistant to a Children’s Library Aid and Storyteller (Gerry Horner). Many times his task had been to review Cladecott and Newbury Award books being added to the library collections. Tim loved the stories and how they could stimulate a child’s imagination. This, to me (Tim), is essential in the development of a child to provide the stimulus for the growth of future education. We, as Kiwanians, always try to emphasize that every child is important, has value, has all the attributes to be important in the future of our nation. If we limit and restrict what a child can read by some set of arbitrary rules we have put a governor, a fixed limit on that child’s mind.
As a point Tim referenced a book written by a friend of Gerry’s, Bill Lepp (illustrated by David Wenzel) titled The King of Little Things. Bill is a nationally-known Storyteller from West Virginia, author, retired Methodist Minister and five time West Virginia Liars Champion. Bill’s book presents a wonderful story of big versus little and what really matters in life. A must read for all. As we reach out to children I hope we can always remember it’s the little things that really count.
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