The following post is by a special guest blogger: Carla Raynor of Homewood Suites.

It’s startling to know that not all children in America are getting the best education. How can we break this cycle of poverty and crime if our children don’t have a chance to dream, to achieve, to READ?

As you have seen with the election of Barack Obama as our president, education is the key to achieving any dream, and a solid education starts with early childhood literacy skills.

Most pre-schools in low-income neighborhoods have just one book for every 300 students, and teachers often have to create or bring their own learning materials from home. This is especially shocking when compared to middle-income neighborhoods, where children enjoy a ratio of 13 books per child and often have much greater access to a library.

Our philanthropy partner, Books For Kids, a New York nonprofit, is changing that equation for at-risk preschool children. They are building libraries directly within housing projects and publicly funded day care and after school programs where low-income children reside.

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April brought International Children’s Book Day this weekend – April 2, to be exact. That’s Hans Christian Anderson’s birthday, and since 1967, reading enthusiasts have honored beloved children’s stories – like his “The Little Mermaid” and “Thumbelina” — across the world on this date.

But celebrations of good children’s literature actually occur throughout the year in various places around the country. These events typically include book vendors, storytelling, arts-and-crafts, food and entertainment; typically admission is free or for a nominal fee.

Consider popping in on these festivals with your children if your travels take you to these U.S. destinations this year:

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Winter is here, and if your family is anything like mine you’re already thinking about heading south of the border to catch some rays. In fact, that inveterate traveler, Lewis the Duck, is thinking like me – he and his family of ducks are flying to Mexico! That’s probably because Homewood Suites, that Hilton all-suites hotel chain that ducks and people love, is opening its first Mexican hotel.  I’d say “oooh, la, la,” but I’m pretty sure that’s French.

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The other day I had to haul my entire crew to Target just to pick up a couple of tiny items – what a hassle! If you’ve got kids, you know what it’s like to enter any establishment with them around this time of year. To make things worse, my 9 year old disappeared. I was just about to read her the “don’t ever let me out of your sight again” riot act when she showed me why she was absent – she’d dug some of her precious birthday money out of her wallet to buy her sister a necklace.

Yes, we love it when our kids give to each other over the holiday season, but what about helping them give back to their community? Even better, if you’re traveling over this holiday season, let them get to know your destination city by participating in some “giving back” activities.

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