FIRST LOOK BOOKS

"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere." -Mary Schmich

As a teacher, I see firsthand the magnificent impact early literacy has on a child's quality of life. Opportunity, not aptitude, is the biggest factor in developing those critical reading skills. Yet statistically speaking, only around half of American parents read to their children each week, and more frighteningly, 21% of adults in the U.S. are functionally illiterate, according to the NCES. That's approximately 43 million people. Why is this happening? What is causing this chronic issue?

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For many parents, finding the right book for their kids can be difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. There aren't a lot of preview options online, and there might not be a bookstore nearby. You can't always ascertain the content before purchasing, or the book may not hold your child's interest. You may be working a job where the hours don't gel with reading time, or you may live in a place that isn't conducive to quiet reflection. For many, if money is tight, a meal is more essential than a story. For others, it's hard enough for a mere book to compete with electronics on a good day, let alone during a pandemic, when technology has become more of a lifeline than ever, and it just isn't worth the battle of wills. 

That's where nerds like me come in.

I'm making it my mission to help parents find their child's next favorite read, and to foster that love of turning the page. I named this blog "First Look Books" because I'm determined to take you beyond your initial thoughts when you see a cover or read the summary on the back. 

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So, what exactly does this blog do?

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It connects you to picture books and graphic novels, chapter books and wordless tomes with fantastic illustrations, throwbacks and vintage finds, new releases and honest reviews. I'll be utilizing books from my library of 5,000+ and I'll include where to find them (online & locally). There will even be holiday-themed items, author/illustrator interviews, giveaways, and category countdowns.

Here's the scheduling breakdown:

• Every Sunday, I'll post 2 picture book recommendations. I'll try to make one vintage or out of print, and one modern and ubiquitous.

• Once a month on the 15th, I'll highlight a graphic novel, manga, or comic.

• Every other week, I'll suggest a chapter book or short story. 

• All reviews posted will be positive and uncoerced. 

• For educators and enterprising parents, I may include lesson plans or links to resources that would complement the material and provide enrichment.

Whether you're twelve or twenty, a loving grandparent or savvy babysitter, a bookworm or a skeptic, an educator or a Little Free Library operator, subscribe now to get your weekly dose of imagination. 

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Research shows that children who are read to from infancy and given time for guided and independent practice through elementary develop rich vocabularies, problem-solving capabilities, and swift decoding habits. Doesn't everyone deserve the talents and pleasures that reading provides? The need is great, and the time is now.

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Books aren't passive - they are passports. All aboard!