Last week, during D200's Love to Read Week, I had the opportunity to visit a seventh grade classroom to talk about books and read aloud to the students in the class. It sorta made my week - and it wasn't just because they wrote some *awesome* thank you cards later on. It was because while I was there and especially as I was reading to them, I felt like I was making a connection and that they were enjoying our time together. While I love the time I spend reading to our littlest patrons, it's the reaction I got from the seventh graders I visited last week that gives me a special charge. When I read a thrilling passage from a YA novel and seventh graders jumped in their seats, I was thrilled.
I read aloud a lot - it's basically my job and I really enjoy it. In my storytimes, I get to read stories about penguins, friendship, holidays and all sorts of other things and I read to a very eager audience. Most days I have a small crowd waiting for me to open the door to our storytime room and enthusiastic applause at the end of our time together. I've been known to quip that if you can't be a rockstar, you should be a children's librarian.
If you want to be a rockstar in the eyes of someone you love, try sharing a story. It doesn't have to be a picture book and it doesn't have to be with someone who can't read themselves. In fact, if you do get to read with someone who can read with you, take turns being the reader and being the audience. Read with expression and emotion - use different voices... get animated! Take it from me - enthusiasm is contagious.
This Valentine's Day, in *addition* to the candy kisses and flowers, do something
really unexpected - whisper (or shout!) the sweet nothings of a good story with your special someone(s).
