Celebrate Reading with Children’s Book Week
This week, something very near and dear to all of our hearts here at USANA is being celebrated — children’s books.
May 7-13 is Children’s Book Week. Started in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States. Around the nation books and reading will be honored with author and illustrator appearances, story telling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums and homes. You can find information about just some of the festivities on the Children’s Book Week website.
Also in conjunction with Children’s Books week are the Children’s Book Awards. Children and teens can vote online now for their favorite books, authors and illustrators. Awards are given in six categories: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Book of the Year, 3rd to 4th Grade Book of the Year, 5th to 6th Grade Book of the Year, Teen Choice Book of the Year, Author of the Year and Illustrator of the Year.
Books have the ability to transport us to different times and different worlds. They give us the opportunity to grow and expose us to other people and places we may not have previously known about. In short, books are magical. We encourage all of you — whether inside or outside of the United States — to take part in Children’s Book Week this year. Share the love of reading with your friends, family and neighbors.
Below are just a few children’s books (picture, middle reader or young adult) that have made an impact on the lives of members of USANA’s management team.
Dave Wentz, USANA CEO
My kids absolutely love for me to read to them Me and My Dad! by Alison Ritchie and illustrated by Alison Edgson.
Doug Braun, vice president of marketing
Success for Teens — Our educational system ignores a major component to helping our kids succeed in life. The best education we can give our children is to introduce them to the fundamental principles of personal development and the resources to help them reach their full potential.
Dan Macuga, Chief Communications Officer
Danny and the Dinosaur, by Syd Hoof — This was my absolute favorite book. It was fun because it was a book a bout a boy with my name and his adventures with his Dinosaur.
The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit, by Joel Chandler Harris — I remember being a little kid and having my mom read stories from this one to us. It was fun because of all the wild adventures and more importantly the fact that my mom got me and my brother and sister to sit around and listen. She comes to visit now and reads these to my son as well.
Sleep till Noon, by Max Schulman — It was a very humorous story and really piqued my interest, and to this day I still recommend it to people. It influenced me at a young age to enjoy life and laugh a lot!
Shawn McLellend, vice president of media and events
The Monster at the End of This Book — I won’t give away the ending, but I was always SO RELIEVED!!!
How to Eat Fried Worms, by Thomas Rockwell — This book inspired me to once eat a bumble bee.
Encyclopedia Brown, by Donald Sobol — I used to imagine myself solving crimes and saving the world — at 10 years old 🙂
The Hardy Boys, by Franklin W. Dixon — Before Psych, there were these awesome dudes!
Michelle Merriwether, vice president of U.S. field development
The Princess and the Pea, by Janet Stevens — I love the story and it also taught me that I don’t have to settle for less than the best! My grandmother used to read this book to me as a little girl.
Keat’s Neighborhood, by Ezra Jack Keats — My most favorite of the group of books in this collection was always The Snowy Day. The book taught me to explore the world outside of my own front yard and taught me the power of using my imagination as a child to be 
anything I wanted, to go anywhere I wanted and the power of the human mind to turn the most mundane of things into a magnificent masterpiece.
Little House series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder — I loved to escape to the world of Laura and the trials and tribulations of her family and how through it all, they all stayed together and loved one another. Faith, trust and love conquer all.
Alan Bergstrom, Vice President of Customer Service
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George — It’s about a boy who lives in the mountains and learns the lessons of life. Started my interest in the outdoors and nature.
The Education of a Golfer, by Sam Snead with Al Stump — An instructional guide and so much more. The basis of my golf swing and my outlook on the game and competition.
Tom Swift, by Victor Appleton — a series of adventure books about a boy genius 
and the inventions he created and the things he did with them. It made me believe you could do whatever you wanted if you were willing to work at it.
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak — I loved reading this story to my children.
Elaine Pace, president of the USANA True Health Foundation
If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks, by Faith Ringgold — Because you’re never to young to learn that you can change the world.
Peaceful Piggy Meditation, by Kerry Maclean — Teaching stress management early; meditation is a thousand times better than “time out.”
E is for Ethiopia, by Ashenafi Gudeta —This summer our family will grow as we adopt 10-year-old Ethiopian twins. We will read this book to honor their homeland while they learn English.
The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving, by Ellen Sabin — Kids can be philanthropists, too!
Diane Leroy, vice president of project management
Amelia Bedelia series — My son and I used to read these all of the time when he was little. It provided a good laugh for both of us.
’Twas the Night Before Christmas — We read this book every year on Christmas eve.
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein — This story has a great message for all of us no matter what age we are.
Kellie Thompson, vice president of IT
Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell — My love of animals started early and I always dreamed of having a horse. Black Beauty is a wonderful tale about a beautiful Thoroughbred.
The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling — Who didn’t wish they were raised by wolves and live among the animals!
Where the Wild Things Are and The Giving Tree were always a couple of my favorites!
Celebrate by donating books to your local schools, especially those who have residential facilities. Schools who work with kids who have disabilities often have a need. They will take new, and gently used books.