What to Read When by Pam Allyn, Founder and Director of LitLife
As a child and as an adult, I've always been a ferocious reader. I was the child who ate with a book on my lap and read books under the covers after lights out. Suffice to say, I love reading. My love for books is one gene in my DNA that I really hope that my daughters got. I can't wait to see the delight on their faces when they read books that transport them to another world. Of course, to grow a reader you have to start early; but I didn't know where to start that is until I saw this book in the library and borrowed it.
The book is divided into three parts: The power of reading aloud, What to read aloud at every age and The emotional when: 50 essential themes. I really borrowed the book because of Part 2: What to read at every age. The section gives a list of books to read aloud to children from birth to 10 years old.
For the stage we're in - birth to 2 years - the book recommendations include
For the stage we're in - birth to 2 years - the book recommendations include
- Black and white books for newborns
- Rhythmic cosy books to build rituals like Chicka Chika Boom Boom
and Goodnight Moon
- Baby face books
- Board books
- Tactile books for newborns
- Concept books like Charlie and Lola's Opposites
I also loved the part 3 of the book that recommends books to cover 50 essential emotional themes that a child may go through like adoption, coping with illness, courage, creativity, loneliness, loving science etc. It's a pretty extensive list that I find quite insightful.
In summary, I think this book is a good guide for any parent who wants to encourage a child's reading skills but doesn't know where to start.
