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| Our Library Winnings |
Peanut and I participated in the toddler reading program at our local library. We walked into the story room that was filled with eager tots, all surprising sitting nicely on the carpet, attention turned to the reader. Not one of them was disruptive to the story, of about forty kids from birth to age four. Peanut sat still for 30 minutes straight – surely a new record for her!
After the stories, songs, and rhymes, Peanut picked out her books to borrow for the week and then proudly self-scanned them. I love that the library is one of Peanut’s favorite places, even if she is taking after her dorky parents, who spent a vast part of their relationship in a library. Seriously, though – its great to see kids so excited about reading!
Exposing children to books and reading to them starting from birth to age 5 is strongly related to later conventional literacy skills, as reported by the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP). One goal many libraries have adopted is to read to your children at least “1000 books before age 5.” This actually can be done in about a year, reading three books a night, but the earlier you start, the better!
Here are a few of Peanut's favorite books:
Birth to Age 1: Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton (rhyming rhythm, dancing, and animals - what more do you need? Peanut liked anything by Sandra Boynton, except The Going to Bed Book. Peanut will have no part of reading about going to bed.)
1 1/2: The Very Busy Spider, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Brown Bear by Eric Carle. We like Eric Carle, and really, what is cooler to a toddler than a caterpillar?
Age 2: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault (helps with learning ABCs), and Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever by RIchard Scarry (good for hours of entertainment and learning). And last but definitely not least, Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, from which Peanut can recite every word.
Please leave comments with your favorites! We are always looking for good new books!
Bitty likes "Books are for Eating (strike) Reading" by Suzy Becker. She's also a fan of sing-along books like "Miss Mary Mack" and "The Lady With The Alligator Purse." Although she definitely prefers chewing them to reading them . . .
ReplyDeleteI love Skippy Jon Jones. :) He's so cute and they are so fun to read in the Spanish accent....Peanut will be very familiar, you know...with her Dora experience and all :) There are multiple books in the series!
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