Resolutions for Raising a Reader

Elizabeth Kennedy of About.com: Children's Books reminds us how important it is for us as parents to set a good example in order to help our children to become lifelong learners and lovers of literature.

Her resolutions can be found in full detail in her latest posting, but here is a quick outline of what she recommends for ways to get ready for a New Year of reading with our young ones:

1. Read aloud to your children every day.
2. Get a library card.
3. Take your children to the library once a week.
4. Discuss children's books with your children.
5. Take your children to story times, author visits, and other public programs.
6. Buy books that you know will interest your child.
7. Create a comfortable reading space for your child.
8. Visit the websites of favorite authors and illustrators.
9. Once a week, cook together using a children's cookbook.
10. Buy your children a good dictionary and use it regularly.

These are all fabulous ideas and ones that I plan to incorporate in our weekly routine. Spending time reading together is a great way to bond. My son once told me that he liked it when I read to him because I kiss the top of his head.

Today's his birthday. I have two new books to read with him and I can't wait for our trip to the library later this week so he can bring home his own discoveries from the library.

Thanks to Elizabeth for this wonderful reminder.

Giving Thanks

This week is a quiet week. Many schools are closed and businesses as well as parents take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with their children.

The busiest time of year - for just about everyone - is upon us. My father's birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year - and just about every other year it seems. He's taking off on a trip by himself to visit his brothers on the East Coast. My mom will be enjoying the holiday with her sisters, I will be spending time with "family" in La Jolla while my sister will be joining her in-laws this Thursday for a large gathering and a lovely meal.

Family is something that connects us all, whether we are linked by blood, namesake, or just the bond of being present in each other's lives, whether physically or otherwise.

I plan on taking this week to slow down and really spend some quality time with my son. Even though he's with me 60% of the time (not that I'm keeping track), I can't help but feel as though the hustle and bustle of daily life keeps us somewhat disconnected at times.

There are several Kane/Miller books that highlight families of all shapes and sizes. Here are just a few to share with your loved ones:

From Australia

Are We There Yet?

by Alison Lester

From France

Grandparents!

Written by Anne-Laure Fournier le Ray

Illustrated by Roser Capdevila

From Taiwan

Guji Guji

by Chih-Yuan Chen

From the Netherlands

Benny

by Sieb Posthuma

From Germany

Selma

by Jutta Bauer

From Israel

The Key to My Heart

Written by Nira Harel

Illustrated by Yossi Abulafia

From the Philippines

The Mats

Written by Francisco Arcellana

Illustrated by Hermès Alègrè

From Australia

When Mum Was Little

by Mini Goss

From Belgium

You Be Me, I'll Be You

by Pili Mandelbaum

In the above book list, there are eight unique countries represented! Kane/Miller currently represents over 20 different countries from our current title list. Please help us to open young minds to the world by sharing this post with the book lovers in your life.

Stuck in the Muck...Oh #$%@!

I swear this is something that was sent to all Kane/Miller employees last week but I won't give away the sender's identity...

This article, posted on the UK's Metro News site, claims that swearing at work is good and I have to agree that swearing does (as the article mentions) "help to relieve stress and build team spirit."

Now, if only we could argue for this in all professional settings. I'm sure NFL coaches and players on the sidelines would love to shout out some expletives if it weren't for the TV cameras on them during the entire "show." After all, building team spirit is what the game is all about, right?

What about surgeons, when they've discovered that they've left some important tool inside their patient after surgery? I'm sure they don't wash their mouth out with soap after these frustrating situations, but probably should.

Let's face it, feeling comfortable enough to use whatever type of language you feel is necessary under any circumstance is what makes a workplace great (or not). This article explains - in a lighthearted way - how speaking openly encourages employees to express their feelings and to further develop and strengthen workplace relationships.

Speaking of relationships, we've decided to change the name of our Customer Service / Accounts Manager position to Relationship Manager. We're hoping that the relationship we have with our accounts / customers will improve greatly with the use of this new language.

And we promise we won't swear if you call us with a problem - at least not until we've hung up the phone.

From England
Duck in the Truck
by Jez Alborough