By Kristie Korslund

Children who are proficient and passionate readers by third grade are five times more likely to be college or career ready and readers for life. –Innovia Foundation - innovia.org/this book

When I think back on my childhood school years of life some of my fondest memories are going to the library and when the Scholastics book sale came to school. I loved everything about books. I loved the smell of new books, paperbacks were my favorite type of book to hold and flip thruough, I loved the texture of books printed on glossy photo paper and if the binding of a book was loose and floppy I was in thrilled. All this aside, the ultimate reason I loved books were the stories written within the pages that took me on any adventure I desired.

Now as an adult, my passion for books and reading has remained the same. Certainly, one could use my experience with books and reading as an example of the concept that if a child becomes a skilled, interested reader by third grade they will have a higher success in future careers and maintain their love for reading throughout life.

If you have a child in your life who struggles with reading or lacks the interest to read, there are many techniques and tricks of the trade to encourage this skill. Investing in the child by taking time to read with the them, learning their interests for book topics and setting up the experience of reading as enjoyable will all lend to an eager reader.

The Dayton Memorial Library has a featured display of recommended books for ages birth through third grade that the Innovia Foundation has gathered to encourage literacy within children. Along with the recommended books we have included information with reading milestone guidelines and reading cheat sheets that include activities to improve pre-reading skills, comprehension, fluency, and accuracy.

You are always welcome to speak with a member of our staff for book suggestions or ask your child’s teacher; after all the story written within the book is the true adventure of reading!