Does literary travel encourage children to read?
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Saint Augustine
After you explored this post, I think you’ll agree that taking children to the location of some best loved children’s author and sharing their books does inspire children to love reading. With so many new interactive e-books, apps based on favorite stories, and online games with beloved characters, it’s easy to forget about just plain books. But children’s novels and picture books can become real-world adventures when you take young readers to children’s literature-centered destinations throughout New England.
Now the journey begins.
Grab some snacks for the drive, the GPS, and your library card (and set out for a kid lit road trip.)
Massachusetts
Herman Melville, Pittsfield, MA
Why not start with Herman Melville’s seafaring tale Moby Dick by visiting Arrowhead, in Pittsfield, MA.
What to do before you go to get your children excited about Moby Dick. Read the book and watch a movie. For a how to read and enjoy Moby Dick start with Martin Chilton’s article TheEasyWayToReadMobyDick published in The Telegraph.
Now, plan your trip to Arrowhead, Melville’s home and the place where he wrote Moby Dick, please visit for your Arrowhead visit, please visit: mobydick
Dr. Seuss, Springfield, MA
Travel on to visit Dr. Seuss land where he’ll tell you that: “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”
What to do before your revisit or meet Dr. Seuss for the first time, take a look at the helpful information in ReadingDr.SeussBooks published on the blog, Best books for kids.
Next journey to Springfield, MA to visit Dr. Seuss’s National Memorial. Dr. Seuss’s characters will greet you with warmth and adventure. This is where you can look Lorax in the eyes, put your arm around the Grinch, and tell Sam I am what you really think of his green eggs and ham. Check out the details for your visit at: Dr.SeussNationalMemorial
Eric Carle, Amherst, MA
The next leg of your trip goes to the inspirational world of color and art with Eric Carle.
What to do before your visit is to either reread or read his best-known work The Very Hungry Caterpillar and you might share some creative projects in the post “Inspired by the Wonderful World of Eric Carle’s Book” on kidsworld.
Next take a drawing pad and pens to your visit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art where Eric Carle created a place to inspire the love art and reading through picture books. (By they way, adults love picture books as much as the very young reader.) For details on the Eric Carle Museum, visit: carlemuseum.
New Hampshire
Now on to New Hampshire, it’s short drive from the Massachusetts visits.
Margaret and H.A. Rey, Waterville, NH
This literary stop is worth your time where you’ll visit The Rye Center developed by the illustrious authors of the Curious George series. The center’ mission is the Reys’ spirit of curiosity and discovery by increasing understanding and participation in art, science, and nature through programs for youth, adults, and families.
Before your visit grab your library card and check out some Curious George books and spend some time with children with the help of the curiousgeorge parents’ resource. It’s a wonderland of Curious George’s stories and activities.
Next get ready for day of discovering with Reys’ fascination with art, science, and nature. For details on The Rey Center, visit: TheRyeCenter.
Sharing special news with you.
Thanks for taking time to view my special news.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/s483vH5UpBY?list=UUsovrdf4QYGpC7B6ZbYMNHw[/youtube]