First post!

Books! Books! Books! I love books. But this is not about books I love (okay, this is not about grown up books I love) it's about books for my kids.

I have a two children, one boy and one girl. My son is going to be 7 years old next month. He is in first grade and is what the school has labeled an "accelerated reader". I describe him merely as a reader - because that is what he is. I believe that once you are a reader, you are a reader for life. It becomes as much a part of you as the color of your hair, the way you smile, or the sound of your laugh. My daughter is four, and well on her way to becoming a reader, as she wants to do whatever her brother does. She spends many hours reading stories (in a very loud, dramatic voice) from books that she has memorized - a beginning step, we know, to reading.

My son discovers books on his own at the library, many are not appropriate for him. I inform him that it's not appropriate (eg, really, you're going to read Harry Potter?) he asks in a very-un-library-voice "Then what CAN I read?!" It's a good question. Now that my son has become a more skilled reader, I am more flummoxed as to what book to place in his hands.

I've always done thorough research on kids' books. I am bit of a snob when it comes to kids' books. I love good illustrations as well as clever or touching prose. Why should I read a book to my kids that I myself do not appreciate? Selfish? Yes. But I don't think it is harmful to the children to be presented with books that are breathtaking, or whimsical or outright fantastic. And while I will continue to research picture books to put into our ever expanding library, I am now having to include books for self-readers. So stay tuned for books, books, books!