A Love of Books

First Lady Laura Bush Recalls a Childhood Blessed With Reading

By Laura Bush

When I was young, I fell in love with reading. I remember looking forward to trips to our local library with my mother. We would pick just the right book from the huge selection all around us. At home, my mother would put her arms around me and read to me for hours. Those times are among my most favorite and precious childhood memories.

Not surprisingly, I grew up to become a public school teacher and librarian. I loved being surrounded by volumes of literature and tomes of information. Knowing that the cure for many a curiosity was an arm's length away was both satisfying and empowering.

I am very fortunate that my mother took me to get my library card at an early age. In fact, my library card was the first one I carried in my purse, and I used it throughout my childhood and into my adult life. Beyond our trips to the library, it was very important that my mother spent endless hours reading with me at home because it was there that I developed a lifelong love of reading.

Parents are their children's first teachers, and as a result, they should read to them early and often. Once children learn to read, they must continue to practice each and every day. As a matter of fact, new studies on early childhood development show that success in school strongly correlates to how often parents spend time on reading and language activities with their very young children – including infants.

Children who are read to learn two things: 1) That reading is empowering and, 2) That they are important – worthwhile. Simply stated, reading with children is one of the most important building blocks of their entire education and upbringing.

Repetition of the rhythm of speech is all-important to help the developing brain understand how language is organized. Thus, stories, songs and nursery rhymes are vital daily activities that parents can share with their children until they are old enough to attend school. Parents should not stop reading with their children, even after they have learned to read themselves. Sharing books and reading to each other should be a lifelong pastime.

We must remember that the education we provide our children from the day they are born will shape the way they think and learn. The quality of their education will either drive or stifle the enthusiasm, motivation and effort they put into learning. It will affect how they interact with others and their ability to adapt to their successes and setbacks throughout their lives.

I strongly urge parents who are looking for other free or inexpensive reading opportunities for their children to go to their local libraries. Beyond the bounty of books, many libraries have wonderful programs to encourage and reinforce reading skills.

I hope you will join me, and many other American bookworms, in visiting the library. And while you're at it, sign up for a free library card. You'll be among good company. Take it from me: Reading together is a great way to develop strong educational skills and create lasting memories, all the while increasing your chances of success for the future.

I call to all Americans – parents, educators, business leaders and policymakers – to focus on the importance of reading and literacy. Your efforts will help ensure that all our children can learn to love books and make reading a lifetime passion.

Want to see more?

• Let's Start Reading! It's Never Too Early to Introduce Reading to Your Child
• Book It: The Importance of Reading to Your Child
• Recommended Reading List
• Talk about it!