by Carol Hampton Rasco
President/CEO, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
What a special week in the Children’s Literature World…two of my favorite “specials” this month are the start of Picture Book Idea Month (plus two days!) and the birthday of Reading Is Fundamental where the 45th birthday will be celebrated Thursday, November 3 with Lilly and her famous purple purse with lots of children and special guests at the Library of Congress!
And you know what? I see PiBoIdMo as seriously connected to RIF and our mission. Each time I write or talk about this year’s major milestone birthday of 45 years for RIF, I talk about the 380 million magical moments, the 380 million books placed into the hands of children over these 45 years RIF has existed. And guess what? The majority of those 380 million moments have been brought about by picture books given our primary audience of birth to 8 years of age.
Within that age group, RIF seeks first to serve those children most in need and sadly, with poverty the greatest indicator of probable difficulty to read well and independently by the end of third to fourth grade, it means according to the latest poverty reports we have that even more children by comparison in years past to ignite, to motivate, to inspire to learn to read. This means in reality, we need so many different books in order to strike that chord deep within a child, to create the birth of that “aha!” moment, that “wow!” experience that has a child believing “If I can read, I can do anything, be anything.”
Last year I wrote in my guest post for PiBoIdMo noting three types of picture books we hear about most as on the “wanted” list by teachers, reading specialists, PTA parents, Kiwanis Club members—RIF volunteers of all stripes and professions: nonfiction that is “eye and mind catching”, bilingual books, and multicultural books. The requests continue to be the same. All three categories are also critical to the family involvement component RIF believes critical to the success of our mission in motivating children to love reading.
Last weekend I saw again in person the beauty of a picture book that had four generations of individuals pouring over a book, sharing common knowledge and experiences elicited by the book in front of them. It is a picture book about animals in winter—“it doesn’t look like a true fact book, they’re usually boring” as generation two noted in his 6-year-old voice. Generation one was intrigued by the pictures, generation two was eager to learn more about the animals he already had discovered, parents of gen two had no idea about some of the more unusual facts and gen three had information to add about ways these animals were viewed in “the olden days.” After going through the book the family discovered information added by the author at the back and headed to the computer, four generations together again! Gens one and two were reading the text even…what a great experience for the family together…it was a spontaneous activity shared following a meal and lasted with no whining for more than 30 minutes. This family is not unique, no reason this animal book would have been predicted to be the one to “catch their eyes” over others. But it connected for them; it was a prolonged magical moment. And to serve the children and families who need us most, we need lots and lots of books portraying life and our surroundings in oh, so many different ways!
With Thanksgiving now on the horizon, our Hampton multi-generations will for the 32nd year read sometime before the meal begins “Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’” by Eileen Spinelli (1982 version) which was given to my son on his 6th birthday that year. It is a tradition every child entering the family savors when old enough to follow the laugh lines and even more when old enough to be a reader!
A magical moment…that is what you are creating in a picture book…memories that plant the seeds of a lifetime love of reading. My best wishes to all of you as you put those ideas into writing this month! Hurray, more magic is on the way!
Happy Reading!
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November 1, 2011 at 6:09 am
Audrey Vernick
Oh, what a lovely post! Generations, Thanksgiving, family picture book traditions, Lilly and her purple purse–all in one post. Delicious! Thank you.
November 1, 2011 at 6:10 am
Julie Fulton
As a recent newcomer to PB writing, I have to admit I’ve never thought about creating a factual PB. Hooray for PiBoIDMO! I’m off to see what I can come up with for my first idea of the month. Now, what did I want to know more about when I was little……?
November 1, 2011 at 6:12 am
Gary Masskin
Another great reminder of why we write picture books 🙂
November 1, 2011 at 6:15 am
M. G. King
Hard to imagine a home without books, since I’ve always been surrounded by them and the possibilities they represent. Kudos to RIF and all the hardworking volunteers (my MIL is one of them!) who bring those magical moments into families that need them most.
November 1, 2011 at 6:46 am
Linda
Happy Birthday RIF and thank you for all the wonderful things you do. What a great way to kick-off PiBoIDMO!
November 1, 2011 at 6:50 am
Penny Klostermann
Your post gives me that warm, fuzzy, magical feeling… Just like my favorite picture books! Thanks for the inspiration to come up with a magical idea.
November 1, 2011 at 6:55 am
thiskidreviewsbooks
Great post! I learned that picture books are important to young AND adult readers (in other words – they’re pretty much important to everyone). 🙂
November 1, 2011 at 6:56 am
Loni Edwards
Such a lovely 1st post! RIF is fantastic. I have warm memories of receiving RIF books. Thank you Carol and thanks to all of the volunteers that help bring such delight to so many. Happy Birthday RIF!
November 1, 2011 at 7:18 am
Sharon K Mayhew
I had no idea RIF had been around for 45 years. It’s a wonderful program!
Happy writing and reading, everyone!
November 1, 2011 at 7:22 am
Megan K. Bickel
What a fabulous inspiration for today! I have always wanted to delve into non-fiction and this has inspired me to brainstorm a few non-fic ideas this month. Thanks!
November 1, 2011 at 7:24 am
diane kress hower
Just the inspiration we needed to jump start a great month.
Thank You!
November 1, 2011 at 7:27 am
Carole Lindstrom
I love people that love picture books!!! Thanks Tara 🙂
November 1, 2011 at 7:31 am
laurasalas
I’m so inspired! And thanks for sharing your family’s Thanksgiving tradition:>)
November 1, 2011 at 7:52 am
Cathy M
I appreciate Carole’s post – think it would make a great bumpersticker!
I LOVE PEOPLE THAT LOVE PICTURE BOOKS!
November 1, 2011 at 8:00 am
Dana Carey
So much inspiration there. Good to keep thinking about who will be reading these books– such an important part of the equation.
Thanks Carol and RIF!
November 1, 2011 at 8:04 am
kate carroll
Thanks for the great motivator. The post inspired me with a great nonfiction idea. I can feel the creative juices rumbling through my brain and it’s only Day 1!
November 1, 2011 at 8:16 am
Lynn
Thank you for this wonderful post of encouragement and hope.
November 1, 2011 at 8:41 am
tinamcho
Thank you, Carol, for your inspiring words! Wow, thinking about magical moments when reading makes me feel very important as a writer… that I can try to make those moments happen. I still remember as a child being able to choose a free RIF book at my elementary school!! Thanks again for your post.
~Tina Cho
November 1, 2011 at 8:54 am
Jarm Del Boccio
Okay…a non-fiction PB that is eye and mind-catching….I’m on to it! Thanks for that nudge in one particular direction, Carol…
November 1, 2011 at 9:00 am
elizabethannewrites
Carol, thank you so much for such a warm and inspiring post! I am so impressed with the goals and the work of RIF, and it’s exciting to think of being part of the whole process, in writing books that one day may catch a child’s imagination, mind and heart, and turn them on to reading. What a wonderful opportunity we have!
May the ideas flow!
November 1, 2011 at 9:15 am
beckylevine
Carol,
What a wonderful post. Thanks for the great reminder about the audience at the end of our writing–all those generations. I have memories of my grandmother, in her 80s, with her great-grandkids on her knees, sharing a book. She wasn’t very big when she was young, and by then she was even smaller and not so strong, but nothing made her happier than having a not-so-light great-grandchild sitting on her lap. The book and the physical contact made them both so happy.
November 1, 2011 at 9:31 am
Cathy C. Hall
Oh, I’m a BIG fan of RIF and absolutely believe that books are a force to be reckoned with! I know picture books changed my life–and though I don’t have grandchildren yet, I’m always picking up books I think those “someday” kids will enjoy. Thanks for the RIF reminder!
November 1, 2011 at 9:36 am
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
What a wonderful & inspiring post. Thanks for the reminder about why we write picture books, and about RIF.
November 1, 2011 at 9:53 am
Pam Zollman
Thank you for the excellent post! And, I, too, didn’t realize that RIF was that old. I saw on Facebook that today is Author’s Day where we are supposed to inspire others and share our stories…which fits this post! Of course, it’s also what we’re to do every day.
On another note: were we supposed to start our picture book ideas on Sunday and not today? Is that why the “plus two days”? If so, then I’m behind already. Oh well, my idea of writing about Gerald and his blue crayon didn’t pan out anyway. The same with my idea of writing Good Night Broom, the memoir of a janitor. I’ll try to do better today.
November 1, 2011 at 10:13 am
Pam Zollman
I just found this on Facebook: http://matthewcordell.blogspot.com/2011/10/reawaken-your-love-for-picture-book.html
You can also take the Children’s Book Challenge on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Childrens-Book-Challenge/295366400481033?sk=wall
You are supposed to either: a) buy one picture book a week or b) buy one picture book a month or c) check out 10 picture books a week from the library or d) check out 10 picture books a month from the library. If we’re on this blog, then we love picture books and need to support them, obviously. And also obviously, if we want to write them, then we need to read them…and more than one a month. Good luck to everyone this month! May all your picture book ideas turn out successful!
Pam Zollman
http://www.anathorworld.com
http://www.pamzollman.com
November 1, 2011 at 10:52 am
Bethany Telles
I’m actually crying… Thank you for the inspiration! Truly, this is a fantastic way to start this adventure of right.
November 1, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Catherine Johnson
Lovely post, Tara. I’d love to write in all three of those categories this time around. Fingers crossed!
November 1, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Lori Grusin Degman
Awesome post – thanks!
November 1, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Véronique Robigou
Time to create my own magic! Thank you for the beautiful post to get started on PiBoIdMo. Participating for the first time should help with great, new ideas, lead to great books and generate lots of fun and learning along the way. Still 30 days is scary… So, let’s not think and just jump into it!
I love the three book categories you are encouraging us to think about – nonfiction that is “eye and mind catching”, bilingual books, and multicultural books-
November 1, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Picture Book Month! Read to a kid, to yourself, to ANYONE — just READ! | elizabethannewrites
[…] Carol Hampton Rasco, the president and CEO of Reading is Fundamental, an organization devoted to ensuring that children have access to books, wrote of the privilege and responsibility we picture book writers have, in her guest post on Tara Lazar’s Picture Book Idea Month blog. I’d encourage you to click over and read Carol’s words about picture books and their potential impact on children — PiBoIdMo = MaMoIdMo (Magical Moments Idea Month). […]
November 1, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Lynne Marie
I think the post from and about Carol/RIF was a perfect way to start off the month. I’m really enjoying the enthusiasm and LOVE Pam’s suggestion about buying picture books every month and/or taking them out of the library. Long live picture books and all books ❤
November 2, 2011 at 12:18 am
Dorina Lazo Gilmore
This post really struck a cord with me. I am often saddened to hear that the trend or interest in “multicultural” books is dead. I still believe we have a dire need in the market for books that speak those magical moments to kids from all backgrounds. As our country and world becomes more diverse and children grow up in mixed-race, multi-generational families the need becomes even greater for books that help readers find themselves. Thanks for this reminder! I’m feeling inspired!
November 2, 2011 at 1:26 am
Marcy P.
Great words, Carol! I’m embarrassed to say that this is the first I’ve heard of RIF but look forward to keeping in touch! What an amazing blessing to be part of such a great vision for the world. And thank you for your enthusiasm for the magic yet to come! Indeed!
November 2, 2011 at 3:09 am
Rebecca C
I was both touched and inspired by your post, Carol. Hoping to create some magical moments now. And will certainly try to come up with a few non-fiction PB ideas–something I’ve never tried my hand to before.
November 2, 2011 at 11:55 am
Kathy McKendry
I remember RIF as a kid, I loved picking out books. Thanks for the tips on inspired non-fiction books, I agree that we need more of them. I’m off to think up a good idea. 🙂
November 2, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Julie
What a beautiful and perfect post to kick off PiBoIdMo. AND, I’m so excited I get to add to my coffee cup collection! 🙂
November 2, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Cathy Cronin
Beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing it!
November 5, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Lynda Shoup
Thank you for all you do to help children. That is first and foremost. Thank you as well for inspiring us.
November 5, 2011 at 9:16 pm
patientdreamer
Thankyou Carol for such a lovely post. For us writers to realise the audience at the end of our ideas is so inspiring. Another magical post on Tara’s blog…
November 16, 2011 at 12:39 am
PiBoIdMo Day 16: Be Inspired by Bored Six-Year-Olds Like Cynthia Levinson « Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
[…] was so heartened to read Carol Hampton Rasco’s opening blog post on PiBoIdMo because she made two comments that really resonate with me. Well, she said one, and […]