The Storytime Ritual That Changed My Life: A Personal Reflection on Family and Reading

July 22, 2025 by intern, Madison C.

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Reading stories to young children right before their bedtime is a magical moment that helps your bond with your child grow in a way that it wouldn’t have otherwise. I remember when I was young and my parents used to read me stories, their voices paving the way as my mind drifted into other worlds, the worlds the story created. I’d always listen full of excitement whether we were to reenter a magical land I was familiar with or to discover a new one, I knew the story would be entrancing.
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“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.” 

— Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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The Love It Brings

I chose from a selection of my favorite children’s books and cuddled up closely with my mom or my dad depending on whose day it was to read, and listened as they began to tell the story. My father always tried to do accents for the characters in those tales, and though annoying, they always made me laugh. Whereas my mother read calmly allowing the thoughts of the day to slowly fade as she spoke. There were many stories that we read and I could choose any of them on any given night though I found myself choosing the same ones night after night.

Those bedtime stories for children… They brought a sense of security and reassurance, making me feel safe before I drifted off to sleep. They made the nighttime a safe place because my parents were present with books in their hands. The serenity of those precious timeless moments flows through me as I write this. Inspiring my words, such times of unity are priceless to a child; they enchant their imaginations with things that cannot be, or could be, if they choose to listen to the message those whispering words are trying to tell them. Those stories have left an impact on my heart and on my mind and have inspired me to create stories that could in turn inspire the next generation of readers.

Books To Consider

The lessons that can be learned through stories can impact you and your children in ways you may have never thought possible. Each story has something to tell its readers and sometimes that lesson will influence the way your child leads their life.

 

Children’s stories that teach life lessons can impact the way you think and feel about things of importance in this world. They can teach you to be kind to those different to yourself. They can show the importance of friendship and trust on the path that life takes you. The things you can learn through storytelling are worth remembering as I myself try to do. 

 

Many readers try to live out the life lessons they have experienced in the stories they have read. For example Seen, a story by C.M. Harris, tells of friendship, a desire to be understood, and what it takes to be the person who helps others in times of need and be a good friend. In the story Elisha is making sure her friend, Ariana, is seen and cared for throughout their adventure in town. If a child were to take up such an important message and live the way those characters do, the world would be all the better for it.

 

 

All Books Are

Always Welcomed.

Creativity & Positivity.

 

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A Must-Read

My Teacher Says: A Day at School is the first book in the My Teacher Says series—a heartwarming and engaging story that takes young readers through a fun-filled school day. Perfect for children ages 5-9, this delightful rhyming picture book highlights the lessons kids learn at school, from morning routines to classroom kindness, all while embracing the joys of discovery and friendship.
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Why Can't I...

Why Can't I...

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Words Matter in the Classroom

A heartwarming picture book that teaches kids the power of kindness and the importance of thinking before we speak.

In this second book of the Ms. Freckle School Stories series, students learn that our words matter—especially when they hurt others. With humor, compassion, and classroom charm, Ms. Freckle guides her students through real-life situations where kindness makes all the difference.

Written in a gentle tone and paired with expressive, inclusive illustrations, this book is perfect for sparking meaningful conversations at home or in school. It’s a story that celebrates empathy, embraces diversity, and helps children understand how to be thoughtful, kind friends every day.
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The lessons that can be learned through stories can impact you and your children in ways you may have never thought possible. Each story has something to tell its readers and sometimes that lesson will influence the way your child leads their life.

 

Children’s stories that teach life lessons can impact the way you think and feel about things of importance in this world. They can teach you to be kind to those different to yourself. They can show the importance of friendship and trust on the path that life takes you. The things you can learn through storytelling are worth remembering as I myself try to do. 

 

Many readers try to live out the life lessons they have experienced in the stories they have read. For example Seen, a story by C.M. Harris, tells of friendship, a desire to be understood, and what it takes to be the person who helps others in times of need and be a good friend. In the story Elisha is making sure her friend, Ariana, is seen and cared for throughout their adventure in town. If a child were to take up such an important message and live the way those characters do, the world would be all the better for it.

 

Even now I still continue to read stories with my parents—listening, sharing, connecting—the bond reading brings is beautiful. Although the books are longer and the stories tread a more dangerous and intense path, I still love sitting on the couch next to my dad as we try to read the next page of our book without interruption. Trying to fall back into the story as we did all those years ago. The words flowing out into the sky surround me and my imagination runs wild with the information he shares. My heart goes out to those characters wanting to see where the journey leads them.

 

Reading with kids and family brings magic into the life of a child, it becomes real and inspires them to believe that anything is possible. These days when I find one of those children’s books long forgotten, I always reach out to my parents and say “Remember this book we used to read together?” It’s nostalgic. I get just as excited to not only read but hear the story again. Though it’s no longer just for the tale within, but instead for the connection I get to re-experience with my mom for the next couple minutes. It is a rare and precious moment in which the reminiscent and familiar pictures remind me of an earlier time of togetherness.
 

Reading to your kids is a way to connect and find common interests. If stories connect people and cultures, so too can they connect you and your child. I found I love reading stories of fantasy and magic for children similarly to my father. We still get excited to find a book to read that connects those things we have in common with our own personal interests. I have also made long-established friendships through stories. We share our favorites with each other and discuss those we have already read. Who knows maybe one day you will chance upon someone who loves the same stories as you and build an everlasting friendship.
 

Reading stories to your children also tells them that you choose them. You choose for the next moments to spend time investing in them, to be next to them entering an adventure of written words with them. It tells them that they are loved and seen and that is really all any of us really want in this life. Just like Ariana in Seen.

 

I always loved those stories and now the ones we’ve read together still hold the magic of those reading moments, even if I’m reading by myself. Reading is a magic that transcends time and space and when with your parents or your child it is a moment that could never possibly be replaced. It will forever live on in your hearts. If you wish to begin a beautiful reading journey with your child, Purple Diamond Press offers some amazing children’s books that teach values for you and your child to begin your reading adventure with.

 

May these stories inspire your wildest dreams,

Madison C.

 

 

Looking for the best books to teach empathy to kids? Start with the What If We Were series—crafted for parents who want more than bedtime stories. Ready to raise kind, emotionally aware children? 

 

📚 Pre-order your SEL book bundle now and build empathy one story at a time.
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