We have books in every room. Yes, I mean EVERY room of the house! The girls have their favorites tucked away in their bedroom. Our bedroom has a few books in the headboard, too. Of course, our classroom is full of textbooks and level reading books. The living room has magazines and catalogs, what we call "coffee table" books. At any given time, there is at least one copy of The Holy Bible in at least 3 rooms of the house.
The computer room/library has one complete wall (12 shelves) covered with books: Alan's western collection, my favorites (lots of Beverly Lewis, Jeanette Oke, and some great reads from high school that I go back and read again and again), my inspirational faith-based books, a collection of "first" books (cardboard pages, vinyl pages, etc. tough enough to withstand the hands and teeth of babies), a collection of wonderful books for elementary, a collection for junior high level, and a collection of high school/adult books. Historical books. "How To" books. Homeschooling books for K - 12th grades. The Classics. Fairy tales and folklore. Lots of homesteading and farm books. A few old 4-H manuals remain. Dictionaries, thesauruses, reference books.
Our master bathroom always has at least one crossword puzzle book and pen and an occasional book I'm trying to get read. Maddy and Kenna have began the habit of taking a book to the bathroom with them, too, and so I am constantly finding books in their bathroom floor, too.
The kitchen is full of cookbooks and cooking magazines. We try a new recipe at least once week!
Even the laundry room has been hit by the book bug...gardening books can be found on the shelf there, along with Alan's leather working manual.
My personal opinion is that when there are a variety of age-appropriate books available to your children, and they are read to regularly, they will develop a natural love of reading. A love of books. Which will lead to the simple fact, that along their journey in life, they will be able to learn about/how to do anything they set their minds to by gathering the appropriate books on the subject and just digging in.
Reading opens up the whole world to a child. They can travel to faraway lands. They can travel back in time or into the future. They can become a character in any of the books they dive into. They can learn to do new things and how to improve some of the old techniques. They can learn an art form, learn a new skill, become an entrepreneur. Through books, the possibilities are endless.
Spark creativity. Ignite a passion for reading. Start a fire for learning. Keep that fire fed well. Keep your child in books.
Does your family have a room set aside as a personal library? Do you have books in just about every room of your home? Possibly both, like us?
What kinds of books can be found in your home?
