"Reading Is My Life:" Milwaukee girl shares her passion for books with others

MILWAUKEE -- It's the middle of summer vacation. Are your kids bored yet? How about sending them on a vacation of the mind.

Seven-year-old Audrey Maree is celebrating reading with her father, Melvin Watson of Milwaukee.

"I just like picking up a book and start reading," said Audrey.

"And when she meets children, you'll see Audrey in the corner -- and she'll actually be reading to children," Watson said. "I said, you know what, let's go ahead and put something together."

Audrey Maree

And that idea morphed into something special.

Audrey Maree is home schooled along with her four siblings. At home, reading is emphasized and enjoyed.

"She likes when I read because I'm big on the sound effects," Watson said. "So, I understand how important the energy that you put into content, how it affects how it's received."

Now this father/daughter team speak and perform before groups. Their project has the potential to impact many. But even more important, it helps cement a positive, bonded relationship between father and daughter.

Audrey also likes to share her passion for reading with kids at her favorite place -- the library.

"I say, 'Excuse me. Can I read to you?' And then they say, 'Yes, you can go ahead.'  I start reading to them," Audrey said.

The goal of the "Reading is My Life" initiative is not to teach how to read, but to push literacy appreciation.

"The way that you give them a reason to appreciate is by showing them how beneficial certain things can be," Watson said.

So the video and the rhythm are downloadable from Audrey Maree's website. Although, these two are more thrilled by the in-person presentations.

"I feel great because now I get the opportunity to go out in the world and perform," Audrey said.