Why National Family Literacy Day is Important for Building Strong Bonds Through Books

November 1st is National Family Literacy Day, a day that’s become so meaningful to me, both as a children’s book author and as a Black mother sharing stories with my own kids. This day is a reminder of the beauty and power that books bring into our lives as families. It’s about creating something lasting—a love for reading and learning that connects us deeply to one another and, in many ways, to ourselves. In our home, this day isn’t just about books. It’s about belonging, about coming together, and about building something that we carry with us forever.

When I read with my kids, I see pieces of myself in them. It's like I can feel the strength of every Black mother in my family before me in each page. These are stories where our children are seen, where they’re reflected and respected. As Black families, sometimes our stories and voices are underrepresented on library shelves, but when we gather around a book that reflects our experience, our love, and our world, there’s magic in that moment. It’s like giving my kids a small piece of history, something they can hold in their hands, and something they can carry forward, feeling proud of who they are and where they come from.

Books have also given us the space to have conversations we might not otherwise have had. In each story, we find chances to ask questions, share dreams, and talk about life in ways that matter. There’s something beautiful about hearing my children’s laughter when a character makes them giggle or seeing their brows furrow when a story challenges them. I know that these moments are creating bonds that nothing else could replace.

Reading together has become a family tradition—a rhythm we return to when life gets busy or when things feel too big to tackle. In the comfort of a story, we find the closeness that’s unique to reading together, where the words bring us to a cozy place where we’re free to be curious, to feel, and to connect without interruptions. We might travel to different places in books, but our hearts always come home, filled with something meaningful.

This year, as we celebrate National Family Literacy Day, I think about the importance of creating and nurturing these traditions, especially for our children. I hope to inspire other families to start or continue their own literacy journeys, to hold onto stories that help us all grow a little closer. Whether we’re reading aloud, talking about a story, or even watching our kids flip through their favorite pages alone, it’s clear that these are more than just books. They’re invitations to know one another, to see each other, and to share our love through words that echo beyond the page.

So here’s to all the families out there, to the laughter, the tears, the questions, and the love we bring to each story.

May every book be a bridge to understanding, to closeness, and to home.

Happy National Family Literacy Day.