Building Strong Readers
The Loving Vine
by
Bock Bob
There are few times that are sweeter than feeling a soft, warm baby snuggled up against you. The close tenderness of those moments can stay with you for a lifetime.
A baby comes attached to a parent's hopes and dreams of what they wish that baby's life could be. Whether the parent thinks about it, or not, the success of most of those dreams hinges on whether that little baby grows up to be an effective reader. What makes a baby love reading?
One lesson a parent figures out is that children learn to love reading by being read to. You need to read to them at a young age. Babies love the closeness of being held and hearing their parents' voices.
Reading should be pleasurable for all of the participants. Relax. Breathe. Read. Choose something that you want to read that is appropriate for the baby's mood.
Hold the baby closely in a comfortable position. Read with expression. Read for as long as the child is enjoying the experience. When the baby gets restless, bring the reading to a sweet ending. That's the beginning of building a strong reader!
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What are your favorite books to share with children? Tell us about them on the CONTACT page. Who knows? Your book information could be published on our website!
Here are a few of my favorites!
*Aubri's Story: Rising Above Bullying by Crystal Ellison
*Ella Autie by Catlaina Vrana
*Harry the Happy Mouse by NGK, illustrated by Janelle Dimmett
*The Great Gilly Hopkins and *Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
*Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
*Pass It On: African-American Poetry for Children
I wish I had some answers-
To the questions that unfold
About the way time wanders-
About who writes the code
How many roads we’ve walked now- How many left to go
Or are we just here waiting-
To lay our flesh down by our souls
I talk in quiet circles-
With the younger and the old
We trade our tiny stories-
Like they’re fragments of pure gold
I see your face in strangers-
Hear your voice in empty halls
I feel a gentle pulling-
Through the cracks inside these walls.
We’re twisting here-
We’re turning there
Barely steady-
But still we’re holding tight
I swear I feel it in the night
Maybe the purpose
Isn’t a promised land
Maybe it’s palms and dirt-
And another reaching hand
If I’m just one small branch-
On something old and kind
Then I can rest my questions-
And lean into the climb.
We’re twisting here-
We’re turning there
Never leading-
But never last in line
I keep on watching for a sign.
I think of all the people I’ve known-In our living times
All of us connected somehow-Growing on the same strong vine
Some of us moving forward-
Some of us fall behind
But love keeps running underneath-We’re hanging from a loving vine.
Copyright 2026 Bob Bock
About Bock Bob~As a man who has lived a long and varied life, Bock Bob has discovered that creativity makes life more interesting. His poetry has also been set to music. This poem was originally written as a song.
Readers' Corner - exploring reading for pleasure.
THE LOVING VINE – BOCK BOB
Reading for Pleasure - a reading strategy that changes lives
When I was in my grad school program, I learned a reading strategy called "Reading for Pleasure." It is an amazing program that can improve the lives of struggling readers. It's easy! Have the reader select a book of their choice at their reading level. How can you tell if the book is appropriate? You don't need to be a reading teacher. If they can easily read a random passage of about 100 words from the book, it's a good choice for them. If they stumble over words and hesitate while reading, then it is too hard. They need to find another book.
Reading for Pleasure is done daily, at least five days per week. Once the reader has their book, they need to read it for at least 20 minutes per day. After the 20 minutes of reading, the reader writes in her journal. The journal can be a notebook or she can use a computer. She puts the name of the book (the first time she writes about the book), the date, and which pages were read. Then, the student paraphrases what they have read. They tell about the story in their own words. They do not copy any sentences from the book. In fact, it helps them learn to retain information when they seldom look at the book after they finish reading. I discourage, but do not forbid, looking back in the book. One thing that helps is if they can discuss what they read with somebody else. That helps them get their thoughts in order. Then, they write in the journal. Have the reader share with another person what they wrote in their reading journal . That's it!
I have known middle and high school students to increase their reading scores 2-3 grade levels in one semester, when they are doing this program daily. Their academic lives improved greatly!
Words Bring Wisdom!
"It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop."~Confucius
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."~Michael Jordan
"Believe that you can and you're halfway there."~Theodore Roosevelt