My kids were excited to start this week at the Kingwood Branch library for their “Summer Reading Kickoff!”

The library is always fun to visit, and this time we even ran into a huge rabbit, just hanging out in the woods. My daughter squealed and giggled when someone startled the “bunny” and he darted off! We walked right past him (or her), down the winding brick sidewalk, past the children’s bench, into a line of people ready for the kickoff to get started!

They had Wii sports,

a bookmark coloring station,

a popcorn station (yum!), a 3D printer demonstration (super cool),

and tables with information about the library’s summer programs and free e-tools for kids AND grownups!

I’m thankful for local libraries and school programs that encourage summer reading. When I was growing up, I remember my grandma Mamin in Puerto Rico encouraging summer reading by taking me to get brand new books at the mall or at one of the fun little local bookstores, like Bell, Book and Candle in the funky Condado area.

Visiting those places was always exciting to me as a kid. It was awesome to me that I could pick pretty much any book I wanted. And if I ever got to throw in one of those bookmarks with a tassel at the checkout counter? WOW! Best day ever!

I wanted to pass on that love of reading to my kids, and I think we’re right on track. From our early toddler reading times at the local libraries in Rocklin and Lincoln, California where my kids were born, to watching them now that they’re a little older (10 and 6) actually get excited about going to Barnes and Noble at the mall, I am thankful that reading has remained something fun that we all actually want to do.

As we’re starting summer vacation, just this week, the kids got to pick up their new free summer reading logs at Barnes and Noble to motivate them to read and earn a prize by the end of the summer.

To be honest, with all these easily accessible and fun opportunities, it has not been difficult at all to share my love of reading with my kids.

I love that my kids love to read!

And I’d love to hear your comments — do you and your kids love to read? Who inspired you and encouraged your love of reading? Share your thoughts with me below. I love to hear from you!

For the love of reading,

~Coppelia