Summer is a very busy time for those of us caring for children: sports physicals for teens have to be done after May 1^st; kindergarten physicals; preschool physicals; 4 year old immunizations; shot records and of course caring for kids who’ve experienced the typical summertime illnesses and injuries – from poison ivy to broken bones. Every day I am so thankful to have a great supply of new books for my patients birth to age 5 as well as those gently used ones for older kids and those coming in for ill visits. It makes the visits more fun as well as more efficient. Simply watching how a child and their family interact with the book for a couple of minutes tells me so much about the child’s development. 

Each visit with these young children includes a reminder about the importance of sharing books every day – not only to help a child develop a love of books and build their vocabulary, but also as a very important way of showing the child they are loved. The snuggling and conversation that happens between a child and caregiver while sharing a book are important moments that add up to provide for the safe, secure, and nurturing environment critical for positive `and watching parents share the book with their young ones. 

So, thank you to all for continuing to support the Reach Out and Read mission.