Let's DO Something Now!

When I read the recent statistics on the number of parents who read aloud to their kids, I was just so downhearted. How could I, who loved reading so much, reach more families? How could one person make caregivers realize they hold the power to decide their kids' future success and happiness? I couldn't bear to think of those little ones missing out on the sheer joy of shared stories, but I felt so alone in my need to DO something.

And then I became aware I wasn't alone. All over the internet, voices are expressing a desire to share their love of reading. As I began to research solutions, I found fantastic resources - from successful literacy programs embracing whole communities, to individuals making a difference in their own unique way. I realized I was part of a rising tide of support for literacy. Not only that, but there were others who desperately wanted to DO something right now.

That's how Share a Story - Shape a Future was born. Some bloggers got together to organize a week where anyone passionate about sharing stories with kids could join with others and celebrate that passion. From 9-13 March, there will be tips on sharing stories with kids, audiobooks, finding material to read, raising readers and using libraries. Guests on blogs will offer tons of ideas to incorporate shared reading into our lives. Some blogs will have giveaways like lists of tips and hints useful for sharing with others in our own communities, both online and in real life.

At the Share a Story-Shape a Future blog, you'll soon be able to link and download a great little resource kit, crammed full of literacy tips and resources.

Here at The Book Chook blog, I'm hosting Read Aloud Day, on Day 3 of the tour (11 March USA time). On Day 3, I'll also add links to participating blogs to my own post, to make it easy for you to find them. I have two fantastic books to give away on Day 3 so polish up your commenting skills!

Tomorrow, on the Book Chook blog, I'll have more literacy insights from The Almost Librarian. To find out what's happening elsewhere in the blogosphere, check this updated schedule, and visit the Share a Story - Shape a Future blog often, where Terry will be putting links as they go live.

Day 1: Raising Readers
hosted by Terry Doherty at Scrub-a-Dub-Tub, the Reading Tub blog

• Finding Time at Home - Tricia Stohr-Hunt @ The Miss Rumphius Effect
• Making Time in the Classroom - Sarah Mulhern @ The Reading Zone
• Helping a Reader in Need (remedial readers) - Sandra Stiles guest post on Scrub-a-Dub-Tub
• It's Bigger than the Book: Building Strong Readers at any Age with a Daily Dose of Read Aloud - Cathy Miller interview on the Share a Story - Shape a Future blog
• Keeping Gifted Readers Engaged - Donalyn Miller @ The Book Whisperer
  

Day 2: Selecting Reading Material
hosted by Sarah Mulhern at The Reading Zone

• The ABCs of Reading: Infants, Toddlers & Preschoolers - Valerie Baartz on The Almost Librarian
• How to Help Emerging Readers - Anastasia Suen @5 Great Books NEW LOCATION!
  
• Helping Middle Grade Readers - Sarah Mulhern @ The Reading Zone
• Booklists and Read Alikes - Sarah Mulhern @ The Reading Zone
• Using Non-fiction - Mary Lee Hahn of A Year of Reading, hosted by the Stenhouse blog
  

Day 3: Reading Aloud - It's Fun, It's Easy
hosted by Susan Stephenson at the Book Chook blog

• Ten Terrific Tips from Read-aloud Queen, Mem Fox - on the Book Chook blog
• Conquering Stage Fright - Interview with Sarah Mulhern/The Reading Zone @ the Book Chook
• Reading Aloud With Kids: A Dad's Perspective - hosted by Steven and Brian at Book Dads: Fathers that Read
• Using Technology for Read Alouds - Sarah Mulhern @ The Reading Zone
• What to Do When the Reading is Done - Aimee Buckner, hosted by the Stenhouse blog
• Reading Aloud with Independent Readers - Donalyn Miller @ The Book Whisperer
  

Day 4: A Visit to the Library
hosted by Eva Mitnick at Eva's Book Addiction blog

• From Cozy to Cool - Library Spaces for Everyone - Eva @ Eva's Book Addiction
• Lions and Marble and Books, Oh My - Betsy Bird at A Fuse #8 Production
  
• How to Make the Library Work for YOU - an interview with Adrienne of What Adrienne Thinks About That conducted by Jules at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
• The World Beyond the Library's Walls - Melissa @ Librarian by Day
• ABC Storytimes: Taking the Library Home - Pam Coughlan @ MotherReader
  

Day 5: Technology and Reading - What the Future Holds
is hosted by Elizabeth O. Dulemba at Dulemba.com

• Audiobooks with Bruce Coville of Full Cast Audio and Mary Burkey of Audiobooker
• E-books with Harold Underdown of The Purple Crayon and Sheila Ruth of Wands and Worlds
  
• Podcasts with Andrea Ross of Just One More Book! and Cheryl Rainfield of cherylrainfield.com
• A resource of links to audiobooks, e-books, podcasts and webcasts at Dulemba.com

If you too feel the need to DO something about literacy NOW - don't forget to join us for Share a Story - Shape a Future, March 9-13 2009, and help spread the word.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25512069@N00/2624366807/