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76ers All-Star Reading Team - Kelly

What was your favorite children's book growing up and why?

  • I never had particular book that was my favorite. I loved all books like Winnie the Pooh, Dr. Seuss or any interactive activity books.
  • I always liked change “new stories,” challenging myself to discover the lesson in a story or completing the activities.

    What is your favorite book now and why?

  • Currently I have found myself drawn to a book called “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
  • My life is very demanding right now. This book has helped me keep a positive focus on where I am going in life by teaching me different ways of keeping the little things from taking over my life.

    What book has had a major impact on your life and why?

  • “A Dozen Ways to Sunday,” by Montel Williams. Over the past two years my inner strength, faith and courage has been put to the test many times due to medical challenges. This book is filled with true stories of hope and courage, from people who have been faced with tragedies and challenges in their lives, and how they coped and made it through them. Their inspirational stories have touched my life and have given me great strength, hope and a renewed sense of purpose.

    Who got you interested in reading?

  • My parents and family began my interest in reading when I was little. They would always read to me and sometimes even acted out the books like plays, which caught more of my attention, because I saw books through a performance end, and related to them more. I have been a performer at heart since I was born. Personally, I had a renewed interest in reading when I was about 18 years of age.

    Is reading an important part of your profession?

  • Yes! As a child I enjoyed reading, but it was not a major part of my life. I was very busy with dance, cheerleading and other activities that unfortunately I had very little time to read. About 6 years ago, I realized how much of an impact reading can have on my life. It enriched my life and made my hobbies, like dance, more valuable. It is never too late to make reading a major part of your life.

    Why is reading important?

  • Reading is important for all ages. It helps to expand your mind and your horizon. Reading triggers your mind to use its imagination, discover who you are, how you relate to the material you are reading and more. There are so many avenues reading can take you down like personal development, gaining knowledge to help you obtain your goals and dreams or just escaping life in a good romance or mystery. Reading is a very powerful tool that has been given to us, with a lifetime warranty. Use it!

    Why do you love to read?

  • To me it is great stress relief by putting time aside for “ME.” I use the time to put aside life’s demands and reflect on things that I am interested in, and developing my life and myself. It gives me confidence through personal development, as a person, friend and family member. Which helps me to press on and move forward, and also reach out to others as often as I can. All I have learned through reading has helped me touch other people’s lives and help them, which is one of my greatest passions in life.

    Recommended Books:

  • I recommend “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” by Robert Kiosaki, for adults. It gives insight on what people who have money teach their children. This helps them gain knowledge on how to work smarter rather than harder. I would also recommend “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff,” by Richard Carlson, Ph.D. as I mentioned above.
  • For children I recommend any Dr. Seuss book! But if I had to choose one it would be “Green eggs and Ham.” There are many lessons in this book but one good one is that you should always try something before you prejudge what the outcome may be. You never know if you will like something unless you try it.

    If you could be any character from a book, who would it be and why?

  • Tigger, of course!! He is always so full of life. No matter what may go wrong he always finds a positive within it. And like me, he puts his love for family, friends and others first. He is always looking to make someone smile and fulfilling his purpose, by being there for people who need him.