Benefits of Reading

An illustration from Shadow Walkers:

I have at least two books going all the time. An audio book for driving, an e-book to read while waiting, and a paperback book I read to send me off to sleep.

I love to read. If there were calories expended and muscles built during reading. I'd be fit and thin. I have read books on stationary bicycles, so that's my best effort to make that work for me.

Mostly though I curl up under one of my hand-crocheted afghans with a cup of hot tea and let myself get lost in story. It's my favorite thing to do. It is the epitome of an indulgent day for me.

There are many benefits of reading that support this love of mine:

• It reduces stress and helps you relax.

• It improves concentration and memory and is good for vocabulary expansion and strengthens writing abilities.

• It enhances knowledge.

• It increases imagination and creativity.

I don't know any authors who aren't also great readers. It is through reading that we learn an extensive vocabulary to draw from.

I love to learn history and different cultures through story. The culture of the time and place are demonstrated in the people and their actions.

When I'm stressed, I love to dive into a world of magic. Sometimes a magic wand would be such a nice thing to wield. I'm so impressed with other author's creativity, imagining these alternative worlds.

Children's education is so enhanced by reading which makes me proud to be a children's author:

• Reading stimulates their brains and helps develop emotional regulation and other cognitive skills.

• Children visualize characters and settings which encourage creative thinking and problem solving.

• It helps with developing language acquisition. Even babies in their cribs benefit from reading. They connect the words with pictures and are exposed to a richer variety of words.

• Children continue to expand their vocabulary with reading.

• Reading helps develop empathy. They experience seeing the world through other people's eyes.

• Reading to a child strengthens family bonds, sharing the experience while cuddling together.

• Reading improves concentration as learn to focus on the story for longer periods.

• Reading nurtures a love of reading. Books start as precious parts of the nursery and continue on to be part of their adult homes with libraries and bookshelves of favorite reading material.

• Reading builds background knowledge.

• Reading as a routine part of the day helps with consistency and stability.

• Reading gives opportunities for back and forth interaction with older children.

Reading is the best! What are you reading?