Peabody Public Library hopes to instill joy of reading early with Welcome Baby Kits
(Photo provided) Zachary Boggs of Larwill, born September 10, 2008, shows off his Welcome Baby Kit. He is the son of David and Shannun Boggs, shown holding him below.
By Ray Ranier
Who hasn’t had the satisfaction of reading a story to a child: son, daughter, grandchild or other family members or friends? We can see their eyes light up, their little imaginations churning out their own scenarios and the smiles that make such an endeavor worthwhile. Reading to a newborn baby, however, is an entirely different thing, isn’t it? What can they know of flowers and bees and fairies and dragons and all the wonderful things that make up the world of reading? Might as well just read to their teddy bear, right? 
Well, that view has been proven wrong by psychological and educational studies. Among the reasons to read to your baby: reading has a calming effect; the pleasure of being held transfers to the desire to be read to; baby will learn to listen and grow up ready to read; and a baby must hear a language in order to learn it.
The Peabody Public Library realizes the importance of reading for all ages, even those too young to read themselves. Therefore, we are making available a “Welcome Baby Kit,” consisting of a quality board book, a “Read to Me” bib, a picture frame magnet, and various informational brochures about our library and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, all placed in a reusable tote bag. These kits are available to parents of all babies born at Parkview Whitley Hospital and will be distributed by hospital staff to all new mothers. If you and baby live in Whitley county, but the child was born in an out-of-county facility (or taxi cab), you may come to the library to receive your kit.
Remember, habits start early, and good habits need to start now. Make your child a life-long reader and he or she will thank you later (and take care of you in your dotage).
For more information, contact the Peabody Public Library at 244-5541 or visit their website by clicking here.