Got nostalgia?
Did you ever watch Reading Rainbow? I’m definitely dating myself to the early nineties here—sorry, but not really. It was a classic. But it made me think…when was the last time you picked up a book you loved as a kid?
Do you remember The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Rainbow Fish? Maybe Bud, Not Buddy, Because of Winn-Dixie, My Side of the Mountain, or Of Mice and Men. What about The Green Nose or The Treasure Tree?
I know I had my fair share of Junie B. Jones stacked up, and of course, the silly fun of Frog and Toad. And let’s be honest—Charlie and the Chocolate Factory never gets old. The new Wonka movie is fantastic…but there’s just something about those books. Did you know nostalgia actually gives our brains a boost? It releases those “happy hormones” that make us feel good. Man, do I love me some endorphins these days.
No wonder flipping through an old favorite feels like wrapping up in a warm blanket.
And here’s the best part…reading to your kids doesn’t just give you the warm fuzzies, it changes them too!
Research shows that even 15 minutes of reading aloud a day can add thousands of words to your child’s vocabulary every year. Their little brains grow, their language skills sharpen, and you build memories together that stick.
The sad thing is, reading to kids has dropped off in so many homes. Life is busy, parents are tired, and sometimes it feels boring. As a mom, I love my boys, but reading a Minecraft book is absolutely not on my list. Just being honest. But here’s the thing—we don’t have to make it a big production. I’m a big and firm believer in picking up a book you loved as a kid and share it with them.
Read a page, then let them read a page. Five or ten minutes.
That’s it.
Small moments that go a long way.
And I can’t help but think of God’s words in Deuteronomy 6:7…
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Reading is one of the simplest ways we can do just that.
So maybe tonight, before scrolling or rushing to clean that kitchen, dust off one of those old favorites.
Let your kids hear the stories that once lit up your world.
Read on, my friends.
Always,
Rach
Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com
Want some help with where to start? We’ve chosen a few items to encourage and equip you with reading and budgeting with the whole family. Click the links below to find out more!
Have you read our latest book release? Check out and read The Well today!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Simply Blooming Grace. You can read our privacy and security policy HERE.
Simply Blooming Grace 