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Why it is important to read aloud to your child

According to the Family Literacy Foundation, the many benefits of reading aloud with children are:

• Children’s self esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.
• Children experience increased communication with parents and other family members.
• Children are introduced to new concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet, in a fun, age appropriate way.
• Children build listening skills, vocabulary, memory, and language skills.
• Children develop imagination and creativity.
• Children learn information about the world around them.
• Children develop individual interests in special subjects like dinosaurs, cats, or cars.
• Children learn positive behavior patterns and social values.
• Children learn positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
• CHILDREN LEARN THE JOY OF READING!

Excerpt from American Library Association1996–2016 American Library Association

You are welcome to visit the library for books to read with your children.

Young Reader’s Choice Award Junior Nominees

The Young Reader’s Choice Award Nominees are chapter books selected by the Pacific Northwest Library Association.  It is the oldest children’s choice award in the U.S. and Canada. Thousands of students throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta read the YRC nominees. Students in grades 4-6 who challenge themselves to read two or more of the nominees have the privilege of voting for the best book. At Smith we encourage them to join the YRCA Beanstack Challenge to log the books they read as well as the minutes read. Here are the 2022 nominatees:

1. New Kid by Jerry Craft
2. Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
3. Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
4. Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
5. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
6. A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry
7. A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong
8. Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis

Montana Treasure State Picture Book Award

This award was started in Missoula in 1990 and has been a popular activity in school libraries ever since. All over the state teachers and librarians read the 5 nominated titles to their classes, grades K-3. Children enjoy voting for their favorite!  Every book had a related literature activity for students to complete. The lessons are collected and put into a booklet for students to refer to when it comes time to vote. We are almost finished reading all 5 books and will be voting soon! Be sure to ask your student to share their booklet and their favorite book. The winning book is announced in April. The nominees for 2022 are:

1. NESTING by Henry Cole
2. SCOUT MOORE JUNIOR RANGER YELLOWSTONE by Theresa Howell
3. THIS WAY CHARLIE by Caron Levis
4. RONAN THE LIBRARIAN by Tara Luebbe & Becky Cattie
5. GOLDILOCKS FOR DINNER: A FUNNY BOOK ABOUT MANNERS by Susan McElroy Montanri