I created the persona of Mrs. Ima Wordlover a decade ago because I wanted to write books for children. Loving words and reading have always been linked in my mind. I didn't know any man named Ima so my character is a woman. She's probably a composite of the four elementary teachers who contributed to my early educational development, especially in reading. I remember them as special---caring and committed teachers.

And I had all these grandchildren who enjoyed reading. I wanted them to enjoy reading what I had written.

I had, and have, some friends who were and are very successful writers of children's books. I sent them my materials for review. The opinions were nearly unanimous, "These are not books for children, but adults will find them clever and amusing." I believe that's called damning with faint praise.

So I put my writing ambitions aside. But on computer after computer, I kept my files. And as I learned, I revised, looking to create material children could enjoy and be encouraged to read more.

Over the years I followed the various solutions to teach reading in our schools: look/say, phonics, accelerated reading programs, read-aloud; and the list goes on. I kept track of the research. And I concluded that the key to having a child who is a competent reader is an active parent. One who is involved in the child's language acquisition, who models reading behavior, and who supplies reading materials. Ah, it sounds so simple and straightforward.

But it isn't.

I hope I help a little.