At BCPS, we believe that reading is the cornerstone of every child’s success because literacy is a launching pad to a world of opportunities. In today’s digital world, though, with e-books and reading apps now widely available, it can be easy to forget the importance of actual, physical books. Sure, any reading can be good reading, especially if it serves to pique a child’s curiosity and imagination. However, research suggests that physical texts are still much better for early reading comprehension than digital texts.
Harper Bissett, a kindergartner in Mrs. Gildea’s class, for instance, said she loves reading books about cats. Without hesitation, Mrs. Ford was able to find a fun cat book for Harper to read after her class’s story time. She said she couldn’t wait to come back again soon, adding that books helped her learn that “cats don’t like water but they love to eat fish.”
As she prepared for the next class to visit her beautiful library space, Mrs. Ford reflected, “I believe education is the key to solving most of our world’s problems. So when students come into this space, I want them to feel welcome, comfortable, excited to get a new book, and I want to make sure we are reflecting as many cultures as we can here so that they see themselves in the books they’re reading and feel ready to take on the world.”
