Raising bookworms

Booksworms, I seem to have 3 children fitting this description. My kids loves books, even though they still cannot read. They love to hear a good story, they love to learn new information in a non fictional book, and they love to just turn pages of a book, feel the paper in their hands, and look at the illustrations.

I think there are many ways to stimulate the love the reading. Here is how we do it:

• We read books to our child starting at the youngest age.
• We model reading (and loving it) by reading ourselves as often as possible (read I always have a book going) and enjoying it
• We presented to each child how to handle a book, how to store it, take care of it. I think respect is important to enjoy something. I have given an old paper back book to E so that he can learn to manipulate a book properly, like turning the pages slowly really early.
• Modeling how to respect books by really taking care of books, turning the pages slowly without bending the corners, returning them to their shelves once done, and mending a book that needs it as soon as possible
• We go very often to the library, and my kids love it. When we go, I try to go with only one child to really be with them and not run around like crazy. I think it makes their experience more enjoyable
• Giving children books that are age appropriate and that are well illustrated
• Letting books at the disposition of children
• Rotating the books that they can have access to
• We have set up many special spaces dedicated to reading : special nooks, books near the bed, in our common living area...

E loves books. Books have always been part of his life, and he really enjoys them. We have read to him since his very first days of life. Now he not also like to sit and listen to a story, but also to just turn the pages, and look at it.

For his age, the illustrations of the book are the most important point for us. We try to find books that are beautifully illustrated, illustrations that are not cartoonish, but realistic. I also make a point to find books that don't have too much illustrations, or that I feel would be overwhelming. I like one illustration per page, and loads of white space around. Check out the fruit and veggie book picture below to understand what I mean. THis IMO allows the child to really look at one drawing at a time and concentrate on that rather then on all insignificant details. Plus, it is easy for us to play the name game.

Here are his current favorite:

A french book that illustrates fruits and veggies with the greatest care:

Alison's zinnia: a lovely book showing and naming many beautifully drawn flowers that goes over the alphabet

E loves to look at faces, and this book really fit the bill for him:

A book by Charley Harper: He seems to really love the illustrations. I like that the illustrations are simple and clean, and not too much. One illustration per number. Clear and to the point.

And finally an illustration only book showing scenes of everyday play. I love the soft hues and he really seems to enjoy seeing children playing in all sorts of way

happy reading!