Reading to babies and young children is not only fun but has long-term ramifications. On Tuesday, March 15, at 7 p.m., Joyce Martin, a university educator, researcher and children’s book enthusiast will present a program for parents called “Only Connect: Children and Books.”

Martin will help parents learn about the place for children’s books in children’s lives, as well as the role of adults in nurturing book lovers and future readers. She will offer insights on child development and how to choose age-appropriate books for children. Martin will also discuss the impact of reading aloud on young children, the differing perspectives of the adult reader and child listener, and tips on communicating with your children to encourage “grand literary conversations.”

Joyce Martin is a well-known teacher, speaker and writer about children’s literature. Associate Professor at the University of Southern Maine, Martin has been teaching prospective and practicing teachers and librarians for 22 years. A perennial presenter at national conferences for teachers, she founded and still directs a summer institute for professional development called In Celebration of Children’s Literature. A current “cause” and pleasure for her is to connect with parents and grandparents, those adults who plant the seeds for a child’s lifelong enjoyment of literature.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Thomas Memorial Library at 799-1720.