We were in the midst of a busy deadline during a fast-paced and short February month, and all I could think about during those chilly, grey days was, “I’d love to steal a few minutes away so I could read more of my book!” I wasn’t even on a Book Club reading deadline (which is my usual monthly dilemma). I was just reading for pleasure—something I enjoyed so much as a kid and only recently as a busy mom committed to again—making time to read for fun.

        I won’t get into any of the discussions and debates about e-books versus actual books, etc. I’ll just state for the record: I have to hold it, I have to turn down the page corners, I have to make penciled notations in the margins, and if I really like and trust the person, I might even share my book when I’m done. I’m a little protective of my books, and dream one day of a house that can have walls and walls of books, my own tiny library.

        Our family does have bookshelves and they’re basically stacked double-deep. They’re right behind my work desk, so if I push my chair back too far and bump into them, it could result in an avalanche. But it’s handy for when I want to reach back and grab a book to reference in my Publisher’s Thoughts column, like perhaps The Cat in the Hat.

        March 2 is the birthday of Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel, when he wasn’t writing or drawing), and it’s celebrated each year with the National Education Association’s “Read Across America Day” (www.nea.org). It’s actually a year-round program that focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.  Michelle Anderson helps us celebrate the day with some “Seussical” recipes.

        Year-round, our Magazine is devoted to reading and making reading fun.  Each month Stan Steiner, BSU’s own Bookman, reviews age-appropriate books for readers of all ages in our Book Nook column and we archive his reading lists on our website at treasurevalleyfamily.com. 

        This month in Bits and Pieces, we also highlight the Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners. And every month in our Family Event Calendar, we list our local libraries so that you can check out the story times and reading programs your neighborhood library is offering. And there’s still time in March to participate in The Big Read and the discussions and activities with our community’s book selection, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (www.thecabinidaho.org), and the 2010 Kids Read the Same Book, idahokidsread.org.

                The NEA calls for every child on March 2 to be reading in the company of a caring adult. I can’t think of a better reason to steal away for a few minutes than to read together as a family—with my pencil in hand, of course!