March is Reading Month.

If you have young kids in school, then you already know March is reading month because your calendar just got a lot more packed with school activities and events. I know mine did.

One thing I absolutely love about elementary schools is their ability to still foster major enthusiasm for reading books. Kindergarten through fourth graders still love books as gifts and can't wait to settle into a story. Book orders from Scholastic and other companies make books super affordable, sometimes just a dollar per book. Of course, the library should be any family's home base for book access. It's free and there are almost always enrichment activities to keep your kids interested!

I wanted to throw out some of my favorite titles for the younger set, both picture books and early reader chapter books. They've all been major staples in our house. If you haven't read them, perhaps you'd like to give them a try.

"Kiss Goodnight" (Sam Books) by Amy Hest
Such a sweet and snuggly, yet brief story that was a favorite bedtime story in my house for years. It's warm and glowy, about a bear cub who develops a cough on a soon to be snowy night, and how mother bear cares for him until morning...of course the cub feels much better in the morning...just in time to play in the snow.

Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems
Can't say enough about these two. Parents will definitely relate as well when Trixie becomes separated from her beloved stuffed bunny. Touching and suspenseful for the very young and hilarious for parents.

Lost in the Storm series by Holly Webb
These are adorable chapter books for early readers about cute and cuddly kittens and puppies who end up in all kinds of suspenseful adventures including snowstorms and getting lost on the farm. Very sweet, not frightening.

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel
This book is just ridiculously accurate and hilarious. It reads more like a manual then a story, but kids stick with it from beginning to end. Lots of wacky facts and fun.

Enjoy your March is Reading Month!

April Scarlett is a freelance writer. Contact her at www.fromherdesk.com, www.aprilscarlettwrites.blogspot.com, www.aprilscarlettmotherboard.blogspot.com and on Facebook under ASW-April Scarlett Writes and Twitter @ajscarlett.