For the Love of Reading (Month)!

February is known as the month of love. Valentine’s Day is the most famous for couples, while Galentine’s Day is for celebrating female friends. But February is much more notably known as the Love of Reading month, celebrated by the schools in the Tucson area.

Love of Reading and Learning

Authors are invited into the schools to share their books directly with children. For me, there is nothing more meaningful. I am usually invited by teachers of the lower grades, kindergarteners, and first graders. For them, I read my first rhyming picture book, Don’t Call Me Turtle. One of my reptilian relatives insisted I write this book, exploring the differences between turtles and tortoises.

I adopted Myrtle, the Red-footed Tortoise when I lived in New Jersey. Her family had to rehome her when the young man was deployed. He wanted her to go to a good home, and I was honored to be selected. Myrtle, her original name, roams around my house, the matriarch of the Chelonians. I introduce her to all visitors, who invariably remark, “Oooh, Myrtle, the turtle!” I reply, “No, she’s Myrtle, the tortoise!” ”What’s the difference?” I had to write the book.

Don’t Call Me Turtle! has simple text yet tells the many differences between turtles and tortoises. The response from the kids has been positive, which brings me great joy. However, I very rarely make it through the book when I attempt to read it to a class. This is because I take the two stars of the book Myrtle the Tortoise and Trevor Box Turtle. They say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ but a live reptile is worth many thousands. I can understand the kids’ excitement. I feel that way whenever I meet a reptile.

It doesn’t bother me that my words don’t initially capture the kids’ attention like a medium-sized tortoise does because the information in the book is what I tell them with live examples. Meeting and holding real animals will make them curious, and they will eventually read my book. Which hopefully will lead to them reading the next book. And many other books.

Love of Reading may be the title for this effort, but love of seeking information is essential. Knowledge is gained from reading books but also from experiencing life events. So, I’d like February to be not only the month of Love of Reading but also the Love of Learning.

Contact me if you’d like me to speak to your class anytime during the year.