Reading a great source for summer fun

July 15, 2009

The following is a reprint from the Summer 2009 edition of Johns Creek Living magazine.

One of my greatest joys as Mayor is celebrating Read Across America Day with the school children of Johns Creek. As many will know, it is traditionally celebrated on March 2-the anniversary of the birth of Theodore Giesel, aka Dr. Seuss. Since this year the day fell on a Sunday the celebration was planned for Monday March 3. My plan was to read to a class in each of the city's elementary schools-and the schools graciously obliged.

I will tell you that I spent the latter part of February perusing books and soliciting the expert advice of my 6-year-old twins on what the accomplished elementary school student is reading this year.

As the day approached much to my disappointment, though I imagine not that of the students, it brought with it ice, rain and the cancellation of school. I had hoped to reschedule, but with approaching CRCTs, spring break and the end of the school year it was not to be. And so I am left to preach about the benefits of reading without the great fun of reading to the students myself.

I am not sure exactly what my family plans are for each and every day of the summer, but be assured, they will include the library. If you haven't visited the Web sites for the NE Spruill Oaks or the Robert E. Fulton at Ocee libraries and you are already hearing "Mom, Dad, I am bored..." you might want to get there, pronto. You can look them up at www.afplweb.com and you will be amazed to see the summer program offerings-books, movies about books, crafts about books, groups for starting to write your own book. There seems to be something for everyone.

There are all sorts of reasons for jumping into a good book this summer with your children. Studies abound telling us about the knowledge gap that occurs during the summer months if students are not exposed to material learned during the school year. Studies also tell us that children who participate in summer reading programs have significantly smaller gaps. One shows that children who read six or more books over the summer gain more in reading achievement than children who do not.

Or you can look at it the way I do – read for fun. What better to whisk you away from the summer doldrums than the adventure found just inside the doors of your local library? Perhaps you could just take a look at your own bookshelves and find an old favorite to share with the kids. Perhaps it will make you feel like a kid again yourself. I promise – it is an adventure none of us should miss.

Mike Bodker
Mayor