Climate Education
Libraries: Where Books Go to Party
April 2, 2025
Do you remember the first book you ever read? Your trips to the library? Curling up with a family member, sharing stories and discovering new worlds together? Many of us smile when we recall these moments, as they were the first steps in our journey with books. Public libraries, with their endless shelves of possibility, have been at the heart of these story experiences, stories that can and do shape our lives.
The library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life.
Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United states
The right books can unlock a world of potential and books matter now more than ever. They are our bridge to the past, offering insights into history and the stories that shape our world. They are portals to the future and distant realms, allowing us to escape into science fiction, fantasy, and the wonders of travel. They are gateways to knowledge, whether we’re delving into the mysteries of science, understanding complex math, perfecting a cake recipe, or launching a new business.
And yet, despite their immeasurable value, books are often reduced to the cold, sterile definition of “a written text that can be published in printed or electronic form.” But we all know they are so much more. Books are vessels of imagination, education, and culture. They shape the way we think, help us make sense of the world, and allow us to grow.
In an age where information is instant and distractions are endless, are we taking books for granted? As technology continues to dominate our daily lives, we risk losing the depth and nuance that only books can offer. We must ask ourselves: Are we giving books the respect they deserve? Are we fostering a love for reading that will endure across generations, ensuring that the power of books remains central in our lives and communities? The time to reignite that passion is now.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss, Children’s Author
Because while books may come in a variety of lengths, languages, and formats, there’s one thing that makes them truly special: they are tangible. They are more than just words on a page—they are a record of thoughts, ideas, and facts. Books capture what someone is thinking, whether it’s the simple joys of a picture book or the intricate world of a 700-page manuscript.
They ignite a sense of possibility, offering a glimpse into another life, another world, and the imagination of others. Books are for the authors who write them, but they are also for all of us. They have become so deeply woven into the fabric of our lives that we often forget how we learned to read, how books first opened doors to new ideas and experiences. In this ever-changing world, books remain a timeless reminder of the power of knowledge and the importance of understanding.
The foundation of a nation’s culture is laid in its books.
H.G. Wells, Author
The ability, or skill, to read a book typically happens in early childhood. We learn phonemic awareness, phonetic principles, and then learn to make meaning or comprehension of these words strung together through a thing called sentences. A skill that requires practice and perseverance to master. Exposure to reading often occurs before children can speak. Language development is positively correlated with early exposure to being read aloud to and spoken to. It’s like planting the seeds for a lifetime of reading adventure!
Research shows that children whose parents read to them every day are exposed to at least 290,000 more words by the time they enter kindergarten than kids who aren’t read to regularly. That’s a huge difference, especially when we consider how it impacts young learners as they begin school. Language development—and especially reading skills—starts long before formal lessons or strategies are introduced. Early exposure to language plays a key role in shaping a child’s readiness for school, giving them either an advantage or a disadvantage when they step into their first classroom.
Why you might ask – well the reason early exposure to language makes such a difference is that it builds the foundation for all future learning. When children hear more words, they are not only building their vocabulary but also strengthening their ability to understand how language actually works—so alongside sentence structure they learn to grasp meaning, and context too.
This early exposure helps them develop crucial skills like listening, comprehension, and critical thinking before they even start formal education. By the time they enter kindergarten, children who have been read to regularly are more prepared to engage with books, follow instructions, and absorb new information. Which is why without this early language exposure, children can start school at a disadvantage, which can affect their entire learning trajectory. Essentially, it’s the difference between jumping into the race with a head start versus starting from way way behind.
In 2009, Richard Allington and Anne McGill-Franzen published an article in Teachers College Record where they pointed out that the reading gap between students by the time they reach 9th grade is largely due to something called “summer reading loss.” This means that during the summer break, many students lose some of the reading skills they gained during the school year, and for a large number of students, this loss accounts for at least 80% of the difference in reading abilities between them and their peers by the time they enter high school.
Essentially, if students aren’t reading over the summer, they can fall far behind, and this gap continues to widen as they get older.
Young children who have access to books in the home and who are read aloud to regularly have the best chance of becoming successful readers.
Catherine Snow, Peg Burns, and Susan Griffin, 1998, Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children
Shannon D. H. M, an educational scholar, researched the profound role reading plays in cognitive and emotional development. He highlights how books can shape everything from vocabulary development to emotional intelligence and creativity. But Shannon, reading books is not just about literacy—it’s about nurturing the whole child, fostering imagination, and creating lifelong learners.
Martha Nussbaum, author of Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities, a philosopher, goes even further- arguing that long term reading is essential for creating a just and democratic society. She explains how literature, philosophy, history—encourage empathy, critical thinking, and self-reflection. These qualities are necessary for cultivating active, engaged citizens who can navigate the complexities of the world
I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.
Dolly Parton, Singer and Entertainer
So, this International Children’s Book Day on April 2nd – let’s make sure we continue to support the foundational skill-building that young learners need, ensuring they have the resources—and the opportunities—provided by libraries and beyond to strengthen their literacy skills and set them up for success. Remember too we have reviews for some of our favorite books here, keep scrolling down the page till you see our Earth Day Educator Book Hub!
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