Reading is an important skill. Parents who want to raise an avid reader need to take the time to read lots of stories to their children. It is also a good idea to let your child see you reading. Children often imitate the behaviors they see their parent’s doing. Check out some of these children’s books that adults will love, too!
Reading books with your child can be a rewarding experience. It is a nice way to spend time together and share a hobby that you both enjoy. Things can become a bit maddening, however, when a child insists upon having the exact same picture book read to him over and over again. What once was a cute story has become a tedious chore!
If this scenario describes what is happening at your home, it might be time to seek out some picture books that both children, and adults, will love. There are plenty to choose from. NPR highlighted eight children’s picture books that “you don’t have to be a kid to love”. They books they selected were ones that they had speculated could win the Caldecott Medal for 2015.
It turned out that NPR didn’t happen to pick any of the books that were nominated or the book that won. Even so, parents might want to take a look at their selection. One was titled “A Dance Like Starlight” It was written by Kristy Dempsey and Floyd Cooper. This picture book is about a real person named Janet Collins. She became the first African-American prima ballerina, and she grew up Harlem.
Parents may also want to check out a book called “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend”. It was the 2015 Caldecott Medal Winner. The book was written and illustrated by Dan Santat. It is composed of four “visual chapters” in which an imaginary friend named Beekle goes on an emotional journey as he looks for his human. This is a book that conveys the essence of the special relationships some children have with their imaginary friends.
Among the books that were named as Caldecott Honor Books for 2015 is a book with a simple title. It is called “Sam and Dave Dig a Hole”. It was written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by John Klassen. Sam and Dave are two little boys who are “on a mission to find something spectacular”. The start digging a hole in the hopes of finding it. (Their dog comes along for the adventure).
Parents should also share the picture books that were their favorites when they were little. There is something special about passing along a beloved story book to your child. Your excitement about the story is going to, at the very least, make your child curious about the book.
Image by EvelynGiggles on Flickr.
Related Content at Families.com:
* Top Ten Picture Books for Preschoolers
* Children’s Books on Diversity and Feelings
* Valentine’s Day Books to Read with your Kids