In response to the future of children's books
I have just come across this forum, I am a mother to four and when I can grab some spare time I write my own blogs (http://arewenearlythereyet.wordpress.com/). A subject I feel strongly about is reading at a young age, but more importantly to teach children about different cultures and educate to encourage independent thought. I believe parents should try and take a couple of hours to ensure reading as opposed to watching television. I have a series of books that I highly recommend and discuss in my blog but I would love to hear from other parents views on the subject, what are your thoughts?
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Completly agree, you should always try and see what engages your child so that it isn't a bore! Try mixing it up - but the most imporant thing is that they enjoy it otherwise they will find it a chore then later on will be less willing to pick up a book. There are so many different types of books out there, it's finding what makes your child imagination spark!
I agree, parents should try and make time for reading. But it's been really important to me - with my two boys - to make sure I don't switch them off reading by making it a chore of hard work. So if they'd rather I read to them, then thats ok. And if they'd rather read a proper story (than the rubbish 'learning to read' stuff from school) then that's ok too. And I like them to see me reading and ask questions about it.
...and now grown into adulthood. Throughout their childhood both Robin and Simon had access through the Books for Keeps office to the best and always the latest children's publishing. One has never stopped reading and still loves his favourite picture books (Going West by Philippe Dupasquier amongst them), the other announced towards the end of his secondary school that ' he didn't do books'. Didn't seem to affect the wittiest use of language or some the funniest of stories though.
We have read to our children almost every night since they were born. It is an essential ingredient to provide good contact with your kids and to encourage and promote their active imaginations. As my daughter is getting older she is reading more herself but we still have that special time every night to share some stories with her.
both my wife and I have always loved stories and books and feel it is a great gift to pass down the generations.
No doubt in many years to come the grand children will also enjoy such stories.
Author
S N Noonan
The Everlasting Fantastical Adventures collection.
http://everlastingfantasticaladventures.blogspot.com/