March is National Reading Month, and with just 11 days left to celebrate, the Danbury and Candlewood Lake community still has plenty of time to make it count. Whether you read every night or can barely remember the last book you finished, consider this your nudge to slow down and make reading part of your everyday life.
Wait, What’s National Reading Month?
Every March, Reading Is Fundamental leads a nationwide push to make reading a daily habit for people of all ages, not just something kids do for school. The month lines up with the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, making it the perfect time to put more books in more hands. From local library programs to classroom read-alouds, the whole month is designed to celebrate what happens when you open a book.
More Than Just a Good Story
Reading does a lot more than you might think. A University of Cambridge study found that children who read for pleasure early in life showed better memory, stronger verbal skills, and improved mental health by adolescence. For adults, regular reading reduces stress, sharpens focus, and builds vocabulary without much effort.
Here’s what consistent reading does across different age groups:
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Toddlers and preschoolers: Builds early vocabulary, improves listening, and sparks a love of storytelling
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School-age kids: Boosts comprehension, strengthens academic performance, and encourages creativity
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Teens: Develops critical thinking and emotional intelligence, and cuts down on screen dependency
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Adults: Lowers stress, keeps the mind sharp, and even improves sleep quality
The Danbury Library Still Has Time for You
The Danbury Public Library at 170 Main St is one of the most active community spots in the city, and there’s still time to catch what’s on the calendar this month:
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Preschool Storytime every Tuesday at 11:00 AM for children 3 and older
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Reading Together Book Club on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM for adults looking for a community read
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Toddler Storytime every Friday at 11:00 AM for children 18 months to 3 years old
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1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a self-paced program for parents with kids under 5. Pick up your folder at the Junior Services desk on the second floor
If you’re closer to the Candlewood Lake side, the Sherman Library in Sherman Center runs regular programs for both adults and children throughout the month. Library cards are completely free for Danbury residents and give you access to books, ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and digital devices.
Turn Reading Into a Family Routine
Getting kids to read more doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. A few small habits go a long way:
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Read out loud together. Even older kids benefit from hearing a story read by a parent or caregiver. It builds comprehension in a way that silent reading alone doesn’t.
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Let kids choose the book. When children pick what they read, they’re far more likely to actually finish it.
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Set up a reading spot. Good lighting, a comfortable seat, and their favorite books nearby make reading feel like a treat instead of a task.
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Make the library a weekly trip. Browsing the shelves or picking up holds at danburylibrary.org can quickly become something the whole family looks forward to.
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Read in front of your kids. Parents who read for fun pass that habit on without saying a word.
11 Days Left. Make Them Count.
There’s still time to visit the Danbury Library at 170 Main St before March wraps up. Grab a free library card if you don’t already have one, sign your kids up for a program, and find a book that genuinely interests you. Reading doesn’t have to be a big commitment. Sometimes one good chapter is all it takes to get hooked.
Sources: rif.org, cam.ac.uk, danburylibrary.org, shermanlibrary.org, patch.com
Header Image Source: Lilly Rum on Unsplash
