Friday Feature: Would You Like Fries with that Book?

The burgeoning field of developmental neuroscience fascinates me. It seems as though every day we learn something new about what the brain can do and when it can do it.

One thing we've known for a long time is that reading is good for the brain. When caregivers read to kids, this simple activity fosters not only brain connection, but human connection as well. Programs like Reach Out and Read strive to put books into the hands of families who might not otherwise have them, while local libraries foster positive connections among children and caregivers, books and brains with programs designed for even the smallest pre-readers among us.

In Canada, even McDonald's is jumping on the bandwagon, offering books with their Happy Meals. Although McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. aren't currently doing the same, they have, in the past, partnered with Reading is Fundamental to give away books with their kids' meals.

As an adult, I'd have no trouble choosing between a book and a colorful hunk of plastic, but it's a much bigger decision for a five-year-old.

Here's an idea kids. Take the toy, but convince your parents to take you to the library after lunch.