What is your earliest reading memory? 

My mom says I always loved books and would sit by myself forever looking at pictures and telling myself stories. I don’t remember that, but I do remember in Kindergarten I asked the teacher if I could read a book to the class. I picked a Peter Pan picture book I had, and I practiced at home for my stuffed animals, holding the book with one hand so I could see the pictures and they could too, stopping after every page to slowly show the book from one end of the group to the other. I don’t remember if I had the book memorized or if I just told it through the pictures, but I had a great time and have loved reading books to others, especially kids, ever since. 

What was one of your favorite childhood books? 

This is such a hard question! I loved the way my dad read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie so I guess that. I also discovered the "Goosebumps" series in 3rd/4th grade and that is when my marathon reading sessions began. 

Do you have any advice for young readers? 

1. Find things you’re interested in and practice your skills on that. My brother learned how to read through and because of the Nintendo Power magazine. 

2. Know that there is power is reading. My mom always told my brother and I that if we could read, we could do anything and I have held on to that my whole life. Every hobby I’ve had, every goal I set for myself, my first step is always finding books or articles to get me started. 

Tell us about what  you are currently reading!

Much of my reading is now determined by my 3-year-old son, Quinn. Some current favorites in constant rotation are Daniel Tiger audio stories, "Lost and Found" series by Oliver Jeffers, and lots of Peter H. Reynolds books. For myself, I just picked up First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston from the library, and I’m excited to start that. 

What is your earliest reading memory? 

My earliest reading memory is reading an "early reader" called Neal Meets a Seal. It was one of the first books I was able to read without any help.

What was one of your favorite childhood books? 

My favorite book from childhood was The Little Lost Kitten by Lois Lovett. I still have my original copy.

Do you have any advice for young readers? 

My advice for young readers is to make time for books everyday. Read books from different genres. Look at books alone, share them with family and friends and talk about what you're reading. When you find a book you like, read it again and again. You may discover something new each time you read it, a detail in the setting, the words of a character or a connection to your own experiences. 

Tell us about what  you are currently reading!

I am currently reading The Eighty-Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts. I picked up this book from one of the neighborhood 'free' book libraries. It's a true story of a plow horse named Snowman who was given up at auction. When someone from Long Island gave him a second chance, he became a champion show jumper. I am also working my way through a new cookbook called Easy Wins by Anna Jones.