Reading is fundamental! Incorporating books into your child’s routine from an early age can help foster a lifelong love of reading. If you’ve gone through all the children’s classics and want to expand your library, here are a few good places to start:
1. Bizzy Bear Series: These sturdy, chunky board books feature a slew of moving parts to keep young readers happily occupied. Along with sweet rhyming couplets each page features easy-to-manipulate tabs and pulls that make animals appear and disappear, trains go back and forth, etc. Priced at about $5 and up on Amazon, the Bizzy Bear series is fun, interactive and sturdy enough for toddlers.
2. Simms Taback: You may have not heard of this American author and illustrator, but you’re probably still familiar with his work: Taback created the original Happy Meal box in 1977. He also wrote and illustrated over 35 children’s books, winning the Caldecott Medal in 2000 for picture book illustration. His bright, simple and expressive drawings are highly appealing to kids and adults alike.
3. Baby Touch and Feel: If your budding reader is more “baby” than “toddler,” the Baby Touch and Feel series is an extra-durable, baby-friendly choice. Available in a variety of themes (animals, transport, bedtime, bathtime, and more) each page combines first words, large pictures and a tactile element to engage young babies.
4. Sandra Boynton: Though her name may be less familiar than some of the heavy hitters like Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss, Sandra Boynton has created a large collection of beloved children’s books. Sweet, easy-to-understand pictures accompanied with a big dose of silly humor makes Boynton a hit with the sippy cup crowd. The text is short and engaging and you will find yourself giggling along with your kids at the illustrations.
General Tips for Young Readers: Don’t be discouraged if your child doesn’t like to sit still for storytime. Incorporate short stories or ones with engaging pictures before naps and bedtime as a way to encourage reading as a relaxing and restful habit. While your child may only make it through part of a story, aim for 1-3 books a session and gradually your child’s attention span will increase to encompass longer books and story times. Choose sturdy board books rather than books made from paper, and if you have a particularly disinterested reader you can look for books with interactive features to engage your child’s other senses. Oftentimes a young child who won’t sit for a story will still be drawn to textured books, books with flaps or tabs, or other interactive elements like mirrored pages and pop-ups. Offer these types of books at playtime in addition to bedtime storybooks and pretty soon your child will come to see the joy of reading!
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