When I think about being young I thought it was strange to go to someone else's house and see only a handful of books. Our house seemed to be overflowing with books in every room. I just assumed everyone else lived like us with lots of books and a some TV time. (Unless your children were naughty, and your mom was named Kelly, and she cut the TV cord with a pair of scissors.) We were all encouraged to read and, as a result, all of us children developed a love for reading.
For a year before I was even pregnant with Hailey I was buying and stashing children's books left and right. Even on a budget we always make room for books. Hailey is at the point where she loves to climb on the recliner in her room and have us read to her. She likes to crawl into my bed and read while hiding under the covers. She likes to turn the pages and tell us what objects she can identify. Certain books she prefers for Steve to read to her because he uses specials voices that she loves. If I ask Hailey to pick out a story to read she usually brings me a huge stack of books instead of one, and that always makes me smile.
I ordered this new activity kit which includes 167 stories, 34 nursery rhymes and fairy tales, some games, and musical CDs. I specifically chose this kit because it intertwines the material with religion (it is Bible based). I really like that it comes with little activities to go along with the reading. For example: after reading an illustrated story about Noah's Ark one of the few activities recommends putting a blanket over a table as a pretend ark and having the child bring toys that won't be left behind. For the story If You Give Mouse a Cookie, the activity is to make cookies and share them. Fun stuff.