Whether you are looking for the keys to increase the reading level for your child or yourself, the Orion Township Library will have answers for you at their ‘All Aboard the Reading Railroad? program on Sept. 10.
The event is an open house for the whole family, beginning at 2 p.m. and open to the public. Anyone interested is invited to drop-in.
The library will have Michigan writer Kelly DiPucchio; who has authored such children’s books as Liberty’s Journey, What’s the Magic Word?, and Bed Hogs; will be on hand at the Reading Railroad, as will nationally-known reading specialist AnneMarie Johnson.
Children’s librarian and reading specialist Kristen Cornacchia of the Orion Library said DiPucchio’s work is funny and easily accessible to parents who are trying to encourage their children to read.
‘A lot of her books have good, solid rhyme in them, and learning and recognizing rhyme is part of learning to read,? she said.
Johnson will provide parents simple things they can do to help kids with reading, from birth and up.
‘She’ll talk about easy tips to get kids reading at any level,? said Cornacchia. ‘She lives in the area, and like Kelly, she is a parent herself, so she’s easy to talk to.?
The event will also include ‘make and take? craft projects, and a word wall to help kids? with the first step of reading.
‘It will have words most kids recognize easily,? Cornacchia said. ‘Recognizing words they see everyday, like ‘Cheerios,? that’s a form of reading.?
Cornacchia said parents should start reading to their children from birth.
‘For kids at the end of first grade, who don’t feel like they are good readers, that is hard to overcome,? she said. ‘It’s never too early or too late to read to your child.?
Cornacchia said parents are busy, and sometimes they rely on videos and toys to teach their kids to read.
‘But the most important thing you can ever do is sit and read with them,? she said. ‘Let them see you reading. It can be a newspaper, magazine or even a comic book.?
Reading Railroad will provide kids with lots of fun activities and tools to take home with them, Cornacchia said.
‘Clifford the Big Red Dog will be here for the kids to take photos with,? she said. ‘They will get their own stop and go signs, reading glasses and other fun stuff to help them.?
Cornacchia said kids will also be encouraged to take home ‘as many books as they can carry.?
‘We’ll have lists of age-appropriate books for parents to take with them,? she said.
The Orion Library held a similar event last year, the Literacy Fair, and Cornacchia said the staff often has parents coming in asking for help in getting kids to read.
‘They want help for working with their children at all levels,? she said. ‘Whether their kids are excellent readers or struggling…it’s important to keep them reading.?
Cornacchia said much of a child’s brain develops between ages 0-3.
‘Reading to your child every day is one of the best things you can do for them,? she said. ‘Here at the Orion Library, we have touch and feel books, and books with songs on CD.
‘We have books for children to address all interests,? said Cornacchia.
Reading Railroad is open to the public, even outside of Lake Orion. Any adult who is interested in reading, either advancing to a higher level or just taking the first step to get started, is also encouraged to attend.
‘We have nice people here and great programs,? Cornacchia said of the Orion Library.
‘We have materials for adults who want to work on reading as well. We offer help for all levels.?