One of my favorite parts of being a mom is reading aloud to my kids. Even on the worst days, a good bedtime story (or lunchtime story, whatever) makes everything sparkly and wonderful. And you know what one of my favorite parts of being a writer is, especially while doing school visits?

You guessed it: reading aloud.

So when I learned last year that there’s such a thing as World Read Aloud Day, and that the amazing powerhouse author Kate Messner had a sign-up for authors to read from their books to classrooms across the country on that day, and that *I* could be one of those authors???  That led to one of the most fun writerly days ever. I Skyped with classrooms in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and beyond. (Beyond=I forget where else.) It was super fun!

And it’s coming back again, on March 5. So, make sure to read out loud to someone that day – your kid, spouse, friend, gerbil – and if you’re a teacher, principal, or librarian? Don’t wait! Contact me or one of the other authors on Kate’s amazing list to get a FREE Skype visit for your group of kids.

It’ll make everything sparkly and wonderful, I promise.

BONUS!

Picture Book Ideas for World Read-Aloud Day (tested on my kids):

1. Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran

2. Good Night, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas

3. Battle Bunny by Mac Barnett and Jon Scieska.

What stories do YOU recommend?

PS – The winner of my paperback was Christine Sarmel! Congratulations! Send me your physical address and the book will be on its way.