St. Louis Review: I Heart the Reading Habit(at)!

If your community doesn’t have a Reading Habit(at), you are missing out! The dream come to life of Jennifer MacAdam Miller, Reading Habit(at) is this amazing, whimsical place where parents and children (babies up to the early teen years) can come and hang out, play, read books, participate in dramatic play story times, and even buy books to bring home. It’s more enchanting than a library, more sweetly designed than a new baby’s room, and the most fun you could have while learning with your child.

Miss Jennifer, as the kiddos call her, puts on some amazing interactive classes for the children who attend her programs. Her Totally Terrific Toddlers class is perfect for stay-at-home-moms who want to help their children embrace reading and work on those early literacy skills. Fairytale fun presents just that—a fun way to learn the classics while acting them out in silly ways, singing songs, and making crafts. Several other classes, available for multiple age groups, are available as well.

Each 45-minute class includes a story, a re-cap of the story in a fun way to help reinforce listening, understanding, and sequencing of events, dramatic play (often with costumes!), and a craft. Every child gets his or her first class for free, and each subsequent class for a small fee. Punch cards are also available for people who wish to save money and attend several classes.

Miss Jennifer also hosts “Just Because” play date parties, where friends can get together, have snacks or pizza, and play in her magic castle—a mighty construction made out of cardboard that the kids love. Birthday parties are also available.

The best thing about Reading Habit(at) that makes it stand alone aside from any other library or bookstore, however—besides the incredible dramatic play and welcomed giggling!—is that it focuses on helping families raise readers. Miss Jennifer has tons of ideas and helpful hints to help you create the most nurturing and welcoming reading environment in your home—plus books, comfy reading chairs, book caddies, and other nook essentials to create a place where your reader is going to want to cuddle up with his or her favorite story.

As much as we love the décor (there are dragons, owls, and other fairytale creatures, books creatively displayed, and even fresh flowers), we keep coming back for the one-of-a-kind interactive storytelling and welcoming atmosphere. At Reading Habit(at), you can read, play, or just relax on the soft sofas, knowing that you’re in good hands.