National Book Month: An Interview about Reading with librarian Barni Feuerhaken

Friday, 10/16/2009

October is National Book Month, an annual event sponsored by the National Book Foundation. To help parents nurture their children’s love for books, I interviewed librarian Barni Feuerhaken, who earned a library science associate’s degree from Fullerton College in California. Feuerhaken earned her degree once her three children were in school. She worked in Fullerton College’s library for three years. Since then, she has worked in public and private elementary school libraries.


Beth K. Vogt (BKV): How can parents help their children love reading?

Barni Feuerhaken (BF): Children are natural imitators and tend to value what their parents consider important. Books should be readily available in the home and being read and talked about. Books should be an important part of family life.

The easiest way to involve your children in a love of books and reading is to read to them. If you have a hard time reading out loud, don’t worry about it. The more you read aloud the better you’ll become – just keep at it. And don’t think you have to just read children’s books to your children all the time. Read the cereal boxes together at breakfast, the comics or suitable articles in a magazine or the newspaper. Remember the idea is to read, read, read and then read some more.

BKV: How important is reading aloud to your children?

BF: Reading aloud to your children is crucial. In addition to promoting a love of reading, it creates a strong and wonderful bond with your children. One of the first memories I have as a child is the sound of my mother’s voice reading to my twin brother and me. It’s a very precious memory. When you read to your children, they have your undivided attention. You and your child enter into the world the author has created together.

When my mother, who lived with us for 17 years, was bedridden, my high school daughter would go into her room and read aloud to her some of the books they had shared over the years. They had a great time reliving those stories and the time they spent together. It helped them both get through a very difficult time.

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About Toddlers to Teens Examiner Beth Vogt: Beth K. Vogt’s 26 years of mom experience involves everything from morning sickness to the mother of the groom dance. As an author and speaker, she helps women realize a satisfying life doesn’t require perfection. Read all of Beth’s posts on Examiner.com.

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