Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/406243
6 Hudson Valley Parent ■ November 2014 T he kids are bathed and their teeth are brushed. The TV is off and the house is quiet and dim. We're all snuggled together on the couch, and I crack open the first book of the night. This is my idea of bliss. Reading to my kids is by far my favorite part of the day. I love using silly voices, indulging in dramatic pauses and gig- gling at our favorite parts — even if it's the thousandth time we've read the book. When I think back to the times my own parents read to me, it's not the books I remember so much as the closeness and the intimacy. It's the snuggles and the undivid- ed attention, the chance to share in something special together that becomes the most meaningful part of the ritual. Now that my 7-year-old is old enough to read to herself, our nightly routine has taken on a whole new meaning. Not only does she read aloud to her 3-year-old brother, (which warms my heart like nothing else), but now she and I take turns reading her chapter books to each other at night. I plan to read to her until she asks me to stop — and even then I might put up a fight. Research has shown again and again that the best way to raise lifelong readers is to read to them as much as you can for as long as you can, and long after they can read to themselves. And reading aloud not only instills a love of books, but helps kids perform better in school. Check out all the reasons to read aloud to your kids at every age on page 20, as well as reader suggestions for the books their kids love the most. Check, please! We asked readers which Hudson Valley restaurants go above and beyond for their littlest patrons, and were wowed by the responses! Sand- boxes, treasure chests and face painting were just a few of the kid-friend- ly perks offered up by local eateries. A big thanks to all of you who submitted photos of your kids at their favorite restaurants. You'll find the best of the bunch on page 28, along with some of Hud- son Valley Parent's top choices for kid-friendly dining. Make sure to check out the com- plete list at hvparent.com/top-lists. Enjoy! My favorite time of day KATY WEBER Editor's Journal Gabriella, 4, gets a hug from Chuck E Cheese. Find more adorable reader pics on page 28. Publisher TERRIE GOLDSTEIN tgoldstein@excitingread.com Editor KATY WEBER kweber@excitingread.com Media Advisor KIMBERLY MAYER kmayer@excitingread.com Executive Assistant to the Publisher BRITTANY L. MORGAN bmorgan@excitingread.com Community Liaison PAMELA PERRY pperry@excitingread.com Web Ad Designer LESLIE CORTES Layout & Design ENGLE PRINTING also publishers of MY TripPlanner.com family MY TripPlanner.com family baby The HUDSON VALLEY G U I D E Hudson Valley Parent is published monthly by: The Professional Image Marketing & Public Relations Inc. 174 South Street • Newburgh, NY 12550 Phone: 845-562-3606 • Fax: 845-562-3681 hvparent.com This publication is copyrighted by the publisher. Reproduction without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Hudson Valley Parent welcomes submissions, although we cannot accept responsibility for work submitted nor guarantee publication. A MEMBER OF