Without a Favorite Story
Two months ago I became a volunteer reader with Ready to Read. Each week I spend two hours in a medical office waiting room and delight in the company of children who are eager to hear books read. Older children sometimes like to prove their own proficiency in reading, but easily succumb to that primal urge to listen to a good story, or join in a rhythmic rendering from Mother Goose.
Imagine my surprise when I encountered a child of three, who, I believe, had little or no experience with books. At first I watched her wander the children’s area, aimlessly active, but with no concentration, really quite physical. Finally she approached me and sat down, and I selected a short book to read to her. She seemed not to know which page to look at first or how to follow my lead in pointing to picture clues to the story, and she would not be engaged in trying to predict future action. She fidgeted, then walked away from the story and continued to move around the waiting room, swinging her arms full circle. I asked her mother if the child liked books, and was told that, no, she didn’t, that they didn’t read at home.
I have been haunted by her since, and saddened. I feel sad for a child without books to stimulate her imagination and for a teacher who will someday try to ignite the curiosity for learning which young readers bring. She has missed the joy of shared pleasure in the pages of favorite books, of lovely pictures and delicious words, of giggles and rhymes and satisfaction in simple things. The good news is that Ready to Read works in our community to ensure that all children are exposed to books early in life. As a volunteer reader, I had the opportunity to introduce that child to books. Next time she visits the doctor, a volunteer will be waiting to read another story. Reading together is an act of love. Share the love.
Martha Beverly
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader