Rise Up Reading is the 2007 theme for Children’s Book Week, Nov. 12 to 18, which also happens to fall during the week that Oklahoma’s 100th birthday is on Nov. 16! As we celebrate Oklahoma, let’s remember how important reading is and will be for the 100 years of this great state.

Since my job is to help parents, grandparents, and other family members realize the importance of preparing their children for school while they are still too young to attend school, I wanted to do my article on print awareness.

Print awareness is noticing print and being aware that it is everywhere. It is important to understand that print is all around us, not just in books.

You can point out print wherever you are. When you go shopping, let your child help you make the list. On your way to the store, point out restaurant signs, building signs, and street signs.

Downtown Muskogee has some unique signage with the logo, “Okie from Muskogee” on it. When you get to the store, point out the sale signs and the print on the labels.

Show your child the name of his or her favorite cereal or other favorite food item.

While I was thinking about this article, I decided to browse the Internet for memorabilia with print about the centennial and other Oklahoma events.

I found so many items that I started thinking of the Johnny Cash song, “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

You might say that print is everywhere. I found print on T-shirts, sweat pants, sweat shirts, jackets, baseball hats, Beanies, visors, neckties, tennis shoes, flip flops, jewelry, watches, sandals, belt buckles, umbrellas, baby clothes, aprons, hooded towels, shower curtains, bath mats, throw rugs, pillows, blankets, figurines, golf supplies, door mats, dishes, night lights, gym bags, cookie jars, pie plates, trivets, hammers, snow globes, key chains, picture frames, ornaments, car flags, banners, pennants, license tags, hitch covers, mud flaps. Print is everywhere, man!

So wherever you are, take a moment to point out print to your child to encourage the development of his or her print awareness.

While you are celebrating the centennial, stop by Muskogee Public Library and Rise Up Reading by entering your name in a drawing for a bag of children’s books to given away in honor of Children’s Book Week.