Reading Progress

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” - Emilie Buchwald

According to a few online guidelines, Maeve is what is termed an "emergent reader", meaning she understands that books and pictures tell stories, and has begun to memorize books.  This is why if I just say, out of the blue, "By the light of the..."  she will chime in with "Moon!" "A little..." "Egg!" "Lay on a ..." "Yeaf!"  I don't even have to be holding the book.

Yesterday I was so happy when I told Maeve we were going to the library, and she immediately shouted out "More books!"  I knew I was raising this kid right.  

Once we got to the library, however, it was a different story; she was much more interested in the toys and small tables in the children's section than she was picking out new books.  I usually try to get her to pick out five books, but yesterday she only chose one, and I only had time to pick out two more, plus an Elmo video.

However, since we managed to leave the library without a tantrum (or in disgrace, as I usually call it), I will still call it a win.  And it usually takes a day or two to get her interested in the new books, but once she is, I read them to her repeatedly, daily, until they have to go home to the library.  I am proud of my daughter for being a book lover, despite her deep and abiding love for Elmo's World and being passively entertained.  I really think I'm doing this part right.

Grandpa Dale gets in on the reading action