"Reading Is The Ultimate Super Power"

Or at least that's what it states on the front of my daughters Reading Award Certificate. I never really thought of reading that way, but it really is the truth. Reading allows you to explore avenues you never knew, and partake in adventures you could only dream about. During the month of October the kindergarten kids were challenged to read 15 books with the help of their parents. For each book they read they were to color a pumpkin.

Maddie started off with the traditional coloring of a pumpkin, and then as she read on, the pumpkins began to take on a theme all of their own.She explained to me one day that the one on the bottom left hand side had been bitten up by a shark.

She accomplished her goal for the month of October. We read "Toad On The Road", and Dr. Suess "Cat In The Hat," and "Does God Know How To Tie Shoes?" and many more fun books. Some of them we read several times. She recieved a free personal pan pizza certificate from Pizza Hut as part of her reward for the "Book It" program. And now we are on to coloring turkeys for the month of November.

I am so excited that my daughter has a love of reading/writing just like I do. It is a wonderful feeling to see her coming home every day using a new word or asking me how to spell a particular word. Above is a photo that was given to me upon my graduation from college from my parents. The inscription on the photo reads, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know." It reminds me so much of my daughter and it hangs on our living room wall. She has her nose stuck in a book much of the time now and it's a wonderful thing to see.

Comments: 25

j - Frugal Mom - r. Nov 5, 2009, 12:36pm EST

My sons' class is participating in the pizza hut program too, and it really is a great incentive for the kids. My son recently picked up the reading another notch, and now he is unstoppable.

I too always loved to read, and if I weren't in the forest somewhere constructing houses and playing with my imaginary friends, I would have my nose stuck in a book. My parents both inherited lots of books from their parents, and I think I went through all the Barbara Cartland romance novels before I turned 10:)

Monica H. Nov 5, 2009, 12:39pm EST

That's so funny that you were reading all those romance novels as a child. There was one book that I remember reading over and over and over as a child. It was called, "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?" The author was Judy Blume. That was the book I learned so much about life from. Love it.

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Teresa W. Nov 5, 2009, 1:15pm EST

That's cool,the ultimate super power, funny, I really like that. I guess our boys school doesn't do that program though they do others to encourage reading which is great. The boys do love reading thank goodness, all three of them.

Monica H. Nov 5, 2009, 1:20pm EST

I thought it was cool too Teresa. I had a sudden urge to find a mini book and take a photo of Batman or Spiderman reading the book. ha ha ha

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Connie L. Nov 5, 2009, 1:18pm EST

You are so right about reading. I need to read more. I have a problem with good lighting in my house that distracts me from reading. I do better reading on the internet. I have learned so much just by getting on the internet everyday. There is really a lot of worthwhile reading on the internet, a lot of garbage too, but as with anything we can filter out what we don't want to come in contact with.

I think it is wonderful your daughter is doing so well with reading. I always excelled in reading, writing and English. Math is my sore spot. When I took placement tests at Ivy Tech Community College I was surprised to find out my writing score was 99 and my reading score was 96, Math was around 40 something......so I have had to take skill building math courses and still lagging behind on the math. With math you have to get an exact answer, same is true with some english, but with writing and reading there is chance for more creativity in that many answers can be true.

Monica H. Nov 5, 2009, 1:21pm EST

I was exactly the same way with my test scores. I excelled in reading, writing, and English also. Now Math, History and Science were another story all together.

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MrsRoad Runner Nov 5, 2009, 1:45pm EST

Right on!!
It is refreshing to read posts like this!
When my kids were little I would be criticized for allowing my children to read the harry potter series etc.. Heck I do not care what they read, just so long as the passion is there!
My boys were reading young, this was something to be looked at as good, not looked at for what I was allowing them to read....

Why put out a spark in a kid??
Great post!!

Monica H. Nov 8, 2009, 9:21pm EST

Thanks Roadrunner.

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Sarah (I want points) Nov 5, 2009, 2:09pm EST

Reading is such a wonderful thing! It's great when kids are encouraged in that area.

Monica H. Nov 8, 2009, 9:22pm EST

I want them both to love reading. I am encouraging in that area all the time. I sit and read them books whenever I get the chance.

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JOHN BECK Nov 5, 2009, 2:46pm EST

It looks more like a print than a photo. The style reminds me of James Inqwersen.

Monica H. Nov 8, 2009, 9:23pm EST

It probably is a print that is framed. I just worded it wrong John.

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Marianne R. Nov 5, 2009, 4:45pm EST

What a great way to get kids to read.

Monica H. Nov 8, 2009, 9:23pm EST

I know. She will get another one in November, then we will take both kids out to Pizza Hut to celebrate with personal pans.

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Pam H. Nov 5, 2009, 5:05pm EST

I recently did a post on Book It. My 8 year old is doing it, he is in second grade, he has done it since kindergarten. He loves it. He has a certificate to get his first pizza hut pizza, but he has been sick all week and we have not been able to get it. He loves to do this.

Monica H. Nov 8, 2009, 9:24pm EST

It's a really neat program. This is the first I have heard of it, because this is my first time having a child in kindergarten.

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flit . Nov 5, 2009, 5:07pm EST

It is great to hear that the kids are being encouraged to read.... it is SO very important

Monica H. Nov 8, 2009, 9:24pm EST

Yes, it is Flit.

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regina guthrey Nov 6, 2009, 11:17pm EST

So happy she likes to read too.

Monica H. Nov 9, 2009, 4:08am EST

Me too Regina.

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Bundy P Nov 7, 2009, 9:06pm EST

Fantastic!

Monica H. Nov 9, 2009, 4:09am EST

Thanks Bundy.

Have a great upcoming week.

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Beth G. Nov 8, 2009, 9:25pm EST

This is wonderful! It is so important to develop a passion for reading early on in life, I know that my parents, and in particular my father's, example gave me the passion I have for reading books today.

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