Book excerpt: A collection of essays about family, reading, and bonding with others through books. From children’s literature educator and children’s book author Megan Dowd Lambert. This poignant, funny, and touching essay collection invites readers to consider how they bond with children, other family, friends, and students through shared reading. Divided into 4 sections organized around themes of parenting, adoption, race, and healing, this 21-essay collection with its joyous and colorful illustrations is perfect gift for parents, grandparents, librarians, educators, and anyone who spends time with children or reading together with others. The author's experience as an educator and as a parent in a blended family that includes seven children of various racial backgrounds (four of whom came home through adoption) adds depth and breadth to her expertise about how people read and respond to books. "I grew up with a mother who loved to read, and what a sustaining gift that has been to me. If you are holding this book, it’s a good bet that you love to read, too. Read on, and let Megan show you how to make your love for books and your love for the children in your life add up to something special." --Roger Sutton, Editor Emeritus, The Horn Book, Inc., from Book Bonding's foreword