“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
I have always loved to read. Fortunately, I grew up with a mom who loved to read and encouraged me and my eight siblings to read. When the latest Harry Potter book came out, there would always be a line to read it and if it was your turn, you’d better have it done in a day.
Over the years, I have continued to read in my spare time. I enjoy being part of a neighborhood book club. It gives me the chance to hear about books that other people have enjoyed and gives me encouragement to read something that I may never have picked up otherwise.
About a month ago, I checked my email and saw something from “Friends of the Highland City Library.” Curious, I opened it and read, to my surprise, that our family had been selected as the Library Patrons of the Year!
Dear Hunt Family,
In recognition of your family’s exceptional support of and use of the Highland City Library and its materials and programs, the Friends of the Highland City Library would like to honor you as the “Cedar Hills Library Patrons of the Year for 2023.” We would like to feature your family in the Cedar Hills Family Festival Parade on Saturday, June 10, with a sign on the vehicle you will be using in the parade and a banner in front of it. In addition we would like to:
- Present you with a Friends of the Highland City Library bag with a certificate and gifts from our organization, plus T-shirts with the slogan “Find Me at the Library.”
- Feature your family in a Library impact story on the Library website and its Facebook page.
- Have your family’s name on a sign in front of both the Cedar Hills City Hall and your home during the Cedar Hills Family Festival.
Thank you very much for your support of the Highland City Library and for responding as soon as possible with your acceptance of this recognition to be carried out the week of June 5-10. Also please inform us of T-shirt sizes for all your family members, along with their names. Friends officer Linda Sheffield will be contacting you soon to write a brief story about your family and to obtain a family photo at your convenience.
Charlie thought it was hilarious. He literally laughed out loud when I showed him the email. And I didn’t know what to do. We were getting ready to move. Was it hypocritical to accept a recognition for something and then just move away soon after? But then, we had enjoyed the library for MANY years. My kids basically grew up going to the library.
So I accepted. My girls were so excited. My son, not so much. Maybe he felt a little embarrassed with the idea of being in the parade.
The day of the parade arrived. We got to the staging area early. We hopped into the red convertible that they provided for us. And Charlie drove us along the parade route. Lily had fun, but was a little shy. Ethan basically ducked down the entire time. Sadie stood up in the middle and waved both of her hands at all of the bystanders, like royalty. All in all, I thought it was a fun experience. I’m sure my kids will never forget it.
I think what made me the most happy was that we were being recognized for something so good. Having the ability to read is a gift. Wanting to read is a privilege. And reading books of your own choice, for your own happiness is priceless. That is what I hope to give to my children:
The joy of reading!
This is the article that was written about our family and is on the Highland City Website!
Lily Hunt was just a toddler when her family first stepped inside the Highland City Library. In the years
since Rachel and Charlie Hunt bought their first home in Cedar Hills, they have made many, many visits
with their three children, Lily, 13; Ethan, 11; and Sadie, 7. Over the years members of the family have
participated in just about every program the library has had. They love Story Time, Lego Club, Junior
Explorers’ Club, and the summer and winter reading programs. Sadie especially likes searching for the
elf and the leprechaun (and getting a prize when she finds them). Ethan just loves all the books. Lily is a
fan of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and was always so happy when the next book came out. During
the summer, the Hunts are often at the library every week so the kids can get new books and collect
their prizes. They have checked out over 4600 items over the years.
As a mom, Rachel appreciates the kindness of the librarians, who learn the kids’ names and greet them
on a first name basis. The librarians really enjoy the family, too. Devin commented, “The Hunts are super
friendly and have come to so many programs over the years!” Calli added, “They come frequently and
are always very polite.” Before leaving, the children always gather up a big stack of books to place in
their library basket at home. One of the biggest changes the family has enjoyed is that the library
changed the number of items that could be checked out from thirty to one hundred at a time. That gives
everyone plenty of choices!
Rachel has always been a reader. She was one of the kids who read the entire new Harry Potter book in
a day. She and Charlie have tried to instill the love of books in each of their kids. They always have a
family book they are reading. Some favorites have been Little House on the Prairie, Artemis Fowl, The
Boys Start the War, The Haymeadow, and Anne of Green Gables. The kids have personal reading time
every day, and Mom still reads to the younger two every night.
Charlie laughs that Rachel has a book problem. She says, “I really do love collecting books and growing
my own personal library at home, but there is something magical about going to the library and having
so many different books at your fingertips. We love the Highland Library!” And the Highland City Library
loves the magic the and enthusiasm the Hunt family brings with them each time they come to refill their
basket of books.
I felt honored to be selected as the Library Patrons of the year, even though it did make me laugh. Part of me felt a little embarrassed that we had checked out so many books over the years! But why should I feel that way? We like to read! And I am proud of that!
We always have a book that we are reading together as a family. The way we pick our books, is with a rotation. So everyone gets a turn to pick. The kids get so excited when they get to pick the next family book!
Wow, you may be saying. There is no way that will work for my family.
We get it, life is busy. You may think that you can’t possibly fit one more thing into your schedule. Or your little ones just won’t pay attention. It’s just a fact that it’s hard to find time to read together! But we try for it anyway because we know it is important! Sometimes we only get in a few chapters, or less a week, but we keep plugging along.
P.S. Road trips are a great time to read together! We have read dozens over the years in the car! Audiobooks are a great idea for this as well. We got through the entire Harry Potter series and Sadie was barely 2 years old!
If we can do it, so can you!
Here’s a list of some of our favorite family books over the years.
- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
- Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
- Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard
- The Haymeadow by Gary Paulsen
- Dinotopia by James Gurney
- The Wingfeather saga by Andrew Peterson
- Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George
Happy Reading!
~ Rachel
