Books For Kids and Story Time Fitness with Steve Ettinger

Blame it on the dork or the former NYC Public School Teacher or the life-long learner in me, but I am totally gung ho about encouraging literacy in children. And I believe that a love of reading starts at a very young age. That's why I surround Aiden with books and our apartment is rich in literacy. I even make him "read" two books to me every afternoon before he begins playing with his toys.

I'm also gung ho about working out and staying in shape.

So you can understand my excitement when Aiden and I attended a Story Time Fitness Event at Barnes & Noble last weekend. The event was hosted in part by Books For Kids, a nonprofit organization that promotes literacy among children, with a special emphasis on low-income and at-risk preschool-aged kids. That Books For Kids' mission is to create libraries, donate books, and partner with literacy programs to help young children develop critical early foundation and skills they will need to be successful in life is totally admirable to me.

The event entailed a reading of Steve Ettinger's Wallie Exercises by Mr. Ettinger himself. After the reading of the book that teaches children the importance of fitness, friendship, and staying active, Steve led the children through a kid-friendly fitness activity that they couldn't get enough of! Then, attendees were able to get their copy of Wallie Exercises signed by Steve. Pure sweetness!

Steve Ettinger and the kiddies

Being the bookworm and active little thing that he is, this event was pretty perfect for Aiden. He had such a great time listening to the story and reading and coloring and exercising.

Thanks so much to Barnes & Nobles and Books For Kids for hosting this fun and educational event. Become apart of the mission -- visit the Books For Kids website and donate the this amazing cause.

(Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I just really believe in the mission of Books For Kids. Be a sport, donate to the cause, and make a kid literacy happy.)