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Start A New Holiday Tradition With HPL: Winter Reading Program

Lauren Wilcox
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Winter Reading Program

The Houston Public Library's Winter Reading Program offers families a chance to read together and earn a prize. The program takes place through Jan. 15. 

Picture it! The weather has turned cold and families huddle together under blankets to read cherished holiday stories. The youngest crawls into a nearby chair or snuggles close to someone who can help them with the words. Old favorites whose pages have been memorized are read aloud and together they rhyme and explore their way to new worlds. The illustrations come alive as the child takes their turn to read aloud, pointing to the pictures and asking what they are about. Sitting side by side, these loved ones discover words and meanings and establish a lifelong love of reading. We can all agree that these moments bonding over books are the ones that speed by the fastest but are enjoyed the longest.

Over the years, most books begin having fewer pictures and more words, changing a young reader’s relationship with the material. As a supportive adult, the focus becomes less about reading aloud together and more about suggesting new authors or talking about their thoughts of the story. Just like reading together, acknowledging their reaction to the stories and building conversations around books is a gift of love you can give to a child in your life.

The Houston Public Library is giving you the perfect opportunity to give such a gift with our Winter Reading Program! Now through Jan. 15, you and your family have a chance to read together (or solo) and earn a prize (a free book!). 

Kids will love A Year Full of Holidays by Susan Middleton Elya, teens will not be able to put down My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins and adults can indulge in The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan. Check out Origami Holidays by Duy Nguyen for a fun holiday activity for the entire family.

Written in collaboration with Mary Wagoner. 

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