Titles sure to nurture kids’ love of reading
By Luci Hand June 15, 2012 3:26PM
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Updated: July 18, 2012 6:09AM
It is very apparent to me that if a child is going to love reading, and incidentally learn to love it, they have to have books.
One of my long-time mottos I got from author Mem Fox who stated that if we expose a child to 1,000 books before they are 5, they will be readers. If we divide that out, that is 200 books a year. Not even one a day.
For the littlest ones, board books are the best. They can bang them and chew on them and whatever else they can come up with to “play” with them. Obviously, these books do not have much plot. I do have some to recommend but subject matter is not important at this level.
‘Peekaboo Baby’
“Peekaboo Baby” by Sebastien Braun does have flaps to lift. They are very sturdy and should withstand lots of abuse. This is the first game most babies play, making it a great addition to a budding library.
Traveling bear
“Bizzy Bear Off We Go!” by Benji Davies is another great board book. This is extra sturdy and includes pull-tabs and turning mechanisms that fit little fingers well. It also has a theme that uses various ways of travel. We start with Bizzy getting into a taxi and end up with him in a sailboat at the beach.
Panda at the beach
“Noodle Loves The Beach” by Marion Billet uses a little panda named Noodle to talk about the shore and involves touch. Each page spread includes something to feel or, at the end, a mirror to look into to. I don’t know what kind of substance is used for the “sticky peach” but it is sticky.
Mother Goose stories
Candlewick Press, a wonderful publisher, has come up with a spectacular way of looking at some of the Mother Goose rhymes that are so out of favor now. Edited by Iona Opie and illustrated by the award-winning Rosemary Wells, this is a tall 2½-inch square box that holds four little cube shaped books — “Wee Willie Winkie,” “Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake,” “Pussy Cat Pussy Cat” and “Jack and Jill.”
Since they are so small, the print is also small so they are definitely a read-a-loud and for one-on-one use.
That said, these are perfect for the “waiting” bag of books and goodies that every child should have to take to the doctor’s office and other places where you have to wait. They are compact and sturdy and fun.
‘Cock-a-Doodle Who?’
“Cock-a-Doodle Who?” by Marine Perrin is not technically a board book in my opinion. Yet, the paper used is very heavy and should stand up to quite a bit of abuse. The illustrations are dynamic. They are bright and simple. We have a cut-out on the cover of a chick and each two-page spread that follows has one as well. There is no semblance of a plot as various animals look for something and it is found on the next page, coordinating through color.
These make outstanding gifts for new babies helping young parents get the message that books are the key to success.
