The Power of Reading

I've written a couple of times about the power of a book! When hubs was deployed we got a few books through the "United Through Reading" program sponsored by the USO. Hubs read books to the boys from Iraq, recorded on a DVD, and mailed to us. The boys received a DVD & book to read along with Dad, the opportunity to hear Dad's voice and find the pleasure in a book.

In fact, my boys enjoyed the books so immensely that I ordered a few Scholastic books through their school and included them in 'care packages' to Hubs. He could then make his own books-on-DVD to send back to us when he had the time. (By the way, as a side note, I just recently read that the USO was looking to those who support the troops to contribute to their program. If you are considering it at all... it is a wonderful program, very much appreciated by deployed troops & their families.) But I digress...

Just this week I ran across Military OneSource's Book Library and was once again transfixed with the power of a book. This evening the boys were a little crabby and as I started to cook dinner, it sounded like World War III was occurring in my TV room. So instead of yelling, getting frustrated, and general blood-pressure raising activities I pulled them up to the computer. I logged onto Military OneSource, clicked on their Book Library (or you can just click the link above) and then clicked on 'TumbleBook Library for Beginners'.

Earlier in the day I read one of the online books to my preschooler, and this evening, as I cooked dinner, I let the computer read to them. I love that the books are animated and the words that are being read by the program are highlighted. So my new reader (1st grader) and preschooler can follow along. They asked to listen to 3 or 4 books and sat quietly listening for at least 30 minutes. (I can't even make them sit still that long to watch TV.) Ah blessed, blood-pressure lowering, relief... all in the form of a digital-book.

Amazing what a book can do for the mind, body and soul. Dive into one today! (Thank you USO & Military OneSource!)



- Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com


Note: Military OneSource does require an account to use their vast amount of resources. All active-duty service members (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force) and their families are eligible. National Guard and Reserve members and their families are also eligible.