Guest Post by Best-Selling Author Michelle Medlock Adams
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss
Reading is such a wonderful escape, isn’t it? I remember when I was a little girl, I would curl up in my tree house and read for hours—The Hardy Boys books, the Nancy Drew Mysteries, and my favorite “The Secret Garden.” Page after page, I became lost in the stories, traveling to far-off places, solving difficult mysteries, and tending a make-believe garden. It’s no wonder I became an author, writing stories of my own, transporting children to make-believe places, and creating characters they could love.
In fact, I have been blessed to write more than 50 children’s titles—some fiction, some nonfiction. This season, I have two children’s books debuting: “Dinosaur Devotions” (Tommy Nelson) and “C Is for Christmas” (Little Lamb Books). I truly love what I do. And, it’s not just because I love to write stories for children; it’s also because I love to read stories to children.
Some of my most treasured moments were spent in our big, comfy chair, reading books with my girls. Abby would always choose “The Rainbow Fish” while Ally usually opted for one of Shel Silverstein’s funny poetry books. When it was my turn to choose, I would reach for one of the Dr. Seuss classics. My girls were especially fond of “The Cat in the Hat.” I’m sure your family has its favorites, as well. Now, as a Gigi to my 1-year-old grandson, I have so much fun reading books to him. I’m grateful that I am able to pass on this love of literature to those I love most in life.
As an author, I am often invited to speak at schools and encourage children to dive into reading. I love that part of my job! At the end of each presentation, after I’ve talked about being a writer and read a few of my books such as “I Will Not Be Afraid” and “What Is Christmas?”, I offer a “question/answer” time. Last year after finishing my talk with a lively group of kindergarteners, I opened up the question/answer segment and one eager little boy shot up his hand with much excitement.
“Yes, you have a question?” I asked, sure that he would want to know more about the books I’d written or how he could someday write his own book.
He nodded yes.
“Go ahead,” I said, motioning to him.
“Is it time for lunch yet?”
It wasn’t, much to his disappointment.
I realized that morning, not every child will fall in love with reading as much as I did when I was 6, but that doesn’t mean we should stop wooing them with great literature. So, go ahead. Grab your favorite child and children’s book and spend some time today escaping, imagining, and enjoying those stories that still make you smile as an adult. Not sure what books to read? I always suggest starting with the books you loved as a child, but also mix in a few award-winning children’s books you’ve yet to discover.
You can find the Newbery and Caldecott winners here:
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal
And of course, I’d love it if you’d read some of my books. You can find those at www.michellemedlockadams.com online, and you can buy my books at most bookstores, Target, Costco, and online at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as well.
“Dinosaur Devotions” debuts Oct. 16th and the Amazon link is here: https://www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Devotions-Discoveries-Bible-Truths/dp/1400209021/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539139097&sr=1-1&keywords=Dinosaur+Devotions&dpID=510dYVS-plL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
“C is for Christmas” is available for preorder right now, officially releasing Nov. 6:
Happy reading!
