In a move timed to coincide with National Children’s Book Week, ArtScroll — the world’s leading publisher of Judaic literature — has announced the introduction of Children’s Jewish Book Month. According to ArtScroll vice president Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz, the Jewish-themed literary event will, like its broader counterpart, take place every May and will feature related programs designed to get kids excited about books and reading.
“Experts agree that when it comes to getting a child hooked on reading-books themselves are the very best motivators, “Rabbi Zlotowitz points out. With summer vacation just weeks away, he notes, it is especially important to stock up on quality reading material for kids. “Studies have clearly shown that children who read during the summer months do much better in the following school year. But there’s a lot of competition for our children’s leisure hours in the summer. Keeping a collection of wholesome, entertaining and age-appropriate books around the house helps ensure that a child will set aside time for reading every day. ”
Providing children with their very own stock of books create yet another incentive for reading. “There’s nothing like having that favorite book up on a shelf, being able to return to some faraway place or exciting adventure whenever the mood strikes,” the ArtScroll representative says. “And when parents purchase books for their children, it sends a message that they consider reading an essential and worthwhile activity.”Supplementing their children’s collections with Jewish-themed books sends a message about the importance of Jewish values and ideas, as well. “