Among a slew of other topics promoted in October, it is also National Book Month. Many
people consider books the business of the school system, but that’s just not true.
We all have an interest in promoting reading and literacy, because a literate, well-read
public is an informed, productive, and capable one. But experts insist that building the
foundation of reading when a child is young is imperative to success.
“Reading is the cornerstone of a child’s educational journey and personal growth, and
the very heart of our educational system,” said Marietta Public School’s Library Media
Specialist, Robin Mayes. “Books help to transform our students into productive citizens.”
Mayes insists that reading books is essential, enabling students to thrive in school.
“It is so important to instill a love of reading at an early age so that it can continue as
children grow,” added Mayes.
Children who read 20 minutes a day, five days a week, are exposed to 1.8 million words
in one school year. That exposure expands vocabulary, inspires imagination, and
enhances knowledge that makes all other school subjects easier, since every academic
subject requires a degree of foundational literacy.
“I highly encourage parents to read to their children, and to model reading themselves,”
Mayes said. “It may be one of the most important things you can do with your time.”
If you doubt the importance of reading to your child, here’s some food for thought:
ď‚· Reading helps to prevent childhood stress.
 There is a direct correlation between the number of books in a child’s home and
his/her success in school.
ď‚· Children who are read to at least three times weekly by a family member are two
times more likely to score in the top 25 percent on standardized tests.
As the library/media specialist for Marietta Schools, it’s Mayes’s job to share and
promote books and reading.
“As students come to the library, I want them to have access to as many different
learning resources as possible to help support their personal and academic goals,” she
said. “Books definitely open the door to the world, but sadly, social media and other
technological distractions have made a big impact on our reading habits. I want to
encourage students that so much knowledge and joy can be found within the pages of a
book!”