I know this is not exactly timely coming a day after the actual event, but I thought it worth mentioning that yesterday, March 9th 2011 was World Read Out Loud Day. Read Out Day is a concept of LitWorld, and as described on their event home page is:
about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.
I have to say, I really love this concept. Although I just became aware that it was World Read Out Loud Day last night as it neared completion, Mrs. LIAYF and I were still able to take advantage by deciding to read extra books to Lukas at bedtime. I say extra books because, in reality every day is Read Out Loud Day at casa LIAYF. I have mentioned here before about Lukas’ love of books, and even posted over at my personal dad blog about his impressive book collection (which by the way is now closer to 600). Last night I read a Gerald and Piggie book by Mo Willems to Lukas before turning the duties over to my lovely wife who usually read him 2-3 books in bed before he falls asleep.
The fact is that we read multiple books out loud to Lukas each and every day. It is a terrific experience which we share with him, and one which stirs his imagination and always leaves him asking for more. Plus, we also realize how truly lucky we are to be able to share these stories with Lukas. That’s because we are well aware how privledged we are to be raising him in our society, at this time in history. As LitWorld points out: Nearly 1 billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their name. That is an astonishing number to me as I can’t even imagine not being able to read or write myself and even more so for Lukas.
So, although it is true this is not a timely post for alerting you to participate in World Read Out Loud Day 2011, perhaps it has at least made you aware that the day exists. I’m pretty sure the planning for next year’s event is already in the planning stages, so go visit the WorldLit site and see what you can do to help make World Read Out Loud Day 2012 a success.
I’m already considering of what I can do.
p.s. I wrote this post during Lukas’ bedtime. By the time I finished, I heard several thumps from his room. Mrs. LIAYF investigated and found Lukas out of bed, lights on, surrounded by the 20 or so “new books” we checked out from our local library last weekend – he wanted to read them all before he went to sleep. He does love his books!