Her mother, Ramy Arbuckle, got the idea of reading 1,000 books from her brother, Demi Clinton, who used to teach in the Tecumseh Local Schools District. Clinton told Ramy Arbuckle to take Lily Arbuckle to the New Carlisle Library because it had an amazing children’s section and would be able to help Lily Arbuckle her reach the milestone.
In fact, the New Carlisle and Springfield/Clark County libraries are both listed as supporting the program on the www.1000booksbeforekindergarten.org website. And, of course, the other Clark County library branches are willing to help out too.
The idea of reading 1,000 books comes from Reading Magic author Mem Fox, who wrote, “Reading aloud and talking about what we’re reading sharpens children’s brains. ”
As the website states, reading only one book a day adds up to 365 books a year, so getting to 1,000 by the time the child heads to kindergarten at the age of 5 years should be attainable. It is also good that children are allowed to count repeat readings of favorite books.
I think I read “The Spooky Old Tree” at least 100 times to our children.
Goals of the program are to encourage bonding between the reader and the child. Reading aloud to a child, according to the program website, helps the little one learn how to communicate, listen and remember. It is also a great way to “introduce new concepts such as letters, numbers, colors and shapes.”
One of the challenges for the parents is record-keeping, but the website offers free pages to print off to aid in keeping a list. The Arbuckles keep their list on a spreadsheet.
Ramy Arbuckle said that Lily Arbuckle looks forward to her trips to the library to check out more books. She said that the children’s room of the New Carlisle Library is a wonderful, welcoming place. Maggie Bollar, the Children’s Librarian, assists them in finding recommended books that might not be on the shelves.
“Children feel free there to be creative and explore. There is everything they want and they are not held back,” said Ramy Arbuckle.
During one of those trips to the library, they noticed that there is a fundraiser to replace the carpet, which is the original floor covering.
“We decided to give back to the library for all that they have done,” said Ramy Arbuckle.
Lily Arbuckle asked family members, neighbors and friends to donate a small amount for each book she is read. Donations ranged from 10 cents a book to a dollar a book and started adding up.
“Lily had to learn how to talk in front of people to explain,” said Ramy Arbuckle. “She’s learning how to count money and learning about different coins. The whole process has taught her so much.”
Last week, Lily Arbuckle presented the New Carlisle Library with $152.80, which at the rate of $4 a square foot, will pay for 38 square feet of new carpet.
When I spoke to Ramy Arbuckle, she said that Lily Arbuckle had 187 books to go, but I imagine that is a smaller number now.
Ramy Arbuckle hopes that other families will accept the 1,000- book challenge to give their preschoolers a great start on their education.
“I cannot tell you how much we all are learning,” she said. “We are so happy and proud of her.”
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