Christmas overtook my life several weeks ago and I haven’t had a minute to even send holiday greetings to the loyal readers of this blog. Hopefully, all of you are relaxing and enjoying the spirit of this holiday season. For many, now that Christmas is past, the stress of preparation will give way to serenity and a chance to slow down and enjoy a respite from your routine. Of course, it has to be said…this is the perfect time to read!  Read alone, read together, pull out old books and enjoy new ones. If you’ve not had a chance to delve into the classic tales of the season with your kids, now is the time to do it. Stories like “The Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry and “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, never lose their charm. The songs, poems, and movies associated with the holidays are all forms of literature and help enrich children’s “cultural literacy”. That simply means that your child can develop a bank of stories that help him understand the common references that often occur in everyday life. Holiday tales – a great way to enhance these days of celebration.

As the year draws to a close, I thank you for visiting my blog and sincerely hope you have found some ideas that help you nurture literacy in your home. I’ll return to my bi-weekly blogging schedule on January 2nd. In the meantime, please let me know if there are any topics you would like me to address in the months ahead. Happy New Year to all!  May it be filled with blessings and books for you and your loved ones.