Daliyah Marie Arana, a remarkable 4-year-old who’s already read over 1,000 books—and was honored in a truly special way.
Who Is Daliyah Marie Arana?
- Hailing from Gainesville, Georgia, Daliyah has been immersed in stories since infancy—her family read to her even before she was born. By 18 months, she was already recognizing words, and she read her first book independently at just 2 years and 11 months.
- Her parents enrolled her in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, and she impressively surpassed that goal, reading more than 1,000 books by age 4.
Recognition at the Highest Level
- Her extraordinary achievement caught the attention of Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. Daliyah was invited to the Library of Congress and dubbed “Librarian for the Day”.
- During her visit, she toured the children’s section, participated in senior meetings, and even read to staff and Hayden herself. She shared insightful ideas—like installing whiteboards in library hallways so kids could practice writing.
Inspiration Beyond Her Years
- Daliyah can easily read books intended for older kids, including those meant for 10 and 12-year-olds, and even tackled college-level material like “The Pleasure of Books” by William L. Phelps, pronouncing words like “punctiliousness.”
- She describes her experience at the Library of Congress with pure joy, calling it her “most favorite, favorite, favorite library in the whole wide world.”
At a Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 4 years old |
| Milestone | Read over 1,000 books before kindergarten |
| Program | 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten |
| Honor | Named “Librarian for the Day” at the Library of Congress |
| Future Hopes | Aspires to be a librarian, help other kids learn to read |
| Paris On Reading | Prefers checking out books daily; enrolled in reading early as a family habit |
