New Year's Resolution # 1: Be Less Prickly

Pearl LOVES to hug.  Unfortunately for the recipients of this enthusiastic show of affection, she's a porcupine.  Tired of her friends saying, "Ouch! Thanks, Pearl. Ouch!" when they get hugs, Pearl sets out to find a way to be less prickly.  She tries pincushions (but she can't reach her back quills), a long bath (quills don't get softer), and even a quillcut (they grow back rather quickly).  Finally, inspired by a thorny rosebush and some buzzing bees, Pearl crafts the perfect dress from a rose-printed pillowcase.  Her new wardrobe choice protects her classmates from her quills and she hugs everyone...twice! 

This new year, make a resolution with your little ones to hug more often and to try being a bit less prickly.

Investing In Our Kids

Learning to read is one of the most fundamental requirements for academic success.  Most of us can agree on at least that much.  How to facilitate and fund that learning process is another matter entirely.  While this is debated on the national stage, educational funding prepares for yet another round on the chopping block. 

The library is an integral part of any educational community and independent research proves just how crucial school and public library funding is to a child's academic success.  Stephen Abrams, a library innovator and advocate, posted a powerful summary of this key research his blog, Stephen's Lighthouse.

One of his most important points is that "The major item that affects low reading scores and school performance is poverty.  Even at the worst levels of poverty, the library is free and everyone is welcome."  Cutting funding for school and public libraries affects everyone but hits our children hardest.  It is our responsibility as parents, educators, librarians, and concerned citizens to be informed about the research and be vocal about the investment we make in our children's future. 

For more meaningful examples of how libraries affect student achievement visit his blog http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/03/01/reading-scores/ which also contains links to the Federal Education Budget Project.

And, get your children excited about advocacy by teaching them that you don't have to be big to make a big difference!