It’s raining as I write this article. I love rainy days. Right now I don’t have any kids or grandkids with me to do something fun and cozy with, but I can sure enjoy remembering other days like this one. A crackling fire in the fireplace, a pan of roasted peanuts my mother had grown in our own garden, warm fuzzy socks, and great read aloud books to listen to as one of my parents read to us.

If you can plant memories like that one in the minds of your kids, you will have done them a great favor. Not only will they remember the fun of it, but you will have instilled into them the love of reading, learning, expanding their vocabulary, and expressing themselves intelligently. Reading to your kids has so many benefits you can’t even list them all. Psychologists, educators, care givers and other experts all agree that reading to your kids is extremely important on many levels. So grab and book and make some memories that will turn into the greatest treasures your kids will have.