Reading Longer Books

The other night, I got to put Little Sister L to sleep. She picked out her latest favorite, Ladybug Girl and Lilly's special day. I have always been amazed by LSL and her stamina in being able to listen to longer storybooks- ever since she was about 18 months. She enjoys the long picture books (and a couple in a row) and then needs to be "tucked" into bed with EVERY Maisy book. Just in case she wants to "read". Seriously. I know. It is the cutest thing ever.

Baby C (who isn't such a baby anymore)- loves to read early chapter books, like Poppleton and Henry and Mudge. We spend a good 20 minutes reading Poppleton, and studying the map and reading each of the three stories in the book.

My nephew this summer, when he was just 2, started listening to longer stories before nap time. Koala Lou became a big reading ritual. And then we would call each other by name and say the in famous line. He would wake up and find his mama and say, “Mama-lou, I do love you!” Longer books hook you into literary language, give you that sense of story structure and as we know increases your exposure to vocabulary.

Read longer books to kids of all ages. Watch and be amazed at their love for story. Push the limits! See what they can handle and enjoy!

Happy reading to You!

Read the World with Babies

When Brand New Baby S was born, I couldn't resist getting him, To Be a Kid! I love books for babies that have babies and kids from all of the globe. Celebrating the diversity and beauty in our world- yet celebrating the common links we have as children and people in the world.

Another favorite gift I like to get for people is Mem Fox's book, Whoever You Are. That is another wonderful celebration of childhood and understanding one another.

At my nephew's daycare, each birthday one of his fellow classmates have, my sister and I get a book for the daycare to celebrate their day! I bought, One World, One Day for them. A beautiful book of photographs form National Geographic, documenting a day in the life of kids all over the world.

When I was growing up, I remember reading, People by Peter Spier.

Celebrate the world! Celebrate life! Enjoy the reads.

Babies Like to Read About Babies

If you want to see a baby light up and smile as you read- bring them a book with other babies! Babies love to see each other in books. They will want to pick up the books themselves and will pick them out and bring them over to you. There are lots of great series of baby books out there. I am always looking for books with babies that all look different! Here are a few of my nephew's, Baby C's, M's Little Boy J, and AB's favorites from when they were babies.

AB loved the books by Charles Smith Jr. The photos of the babies are so beautiful and charming. They would make any person smile, especially a baby! We loved the the Baby Love Board Books! If you can still find them- get them! We use to sing to AB and read these over and over! We passed them down to my god son and then on to my nephew. I wonder what lucky baby will be next. We aren't done with them yet! Last winter, my nephew came to NYC for a visit. We went to the bookstore and did some real damage together! We bought, My People (The poem by Langston Hughes. Photos by CSJ). Luckily that was just newly in print! It is a beautiful book. Buy it!

Little Boy J loved to read, Everywhere Babies, literally everywhere! Baby C loved the series Baby Faces! Baby C got Smile and Eat. How delicious! They come en espanol tambien!

My nephew was a huge fan of the Helen Oxenbury books! Tickle Tickle, All Fall Down, and Say Goodnight! Last year for a winter present to all the babies in my life, I gave them, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen. A real winner with the babies and the parents.

Lastly, my favorite series for babies reading about each other is the, Urban Babies Wear Black Board Books. There are so many good ones in this series, Beach Babies Wear Shades, Eco Babies Wear Green etc! They are super fun! You will find yourself laughing out loud!

Baby Showers: Give a Book as a Gift

Books make a great baby shower present. You are helping to create the child's first library of books. Usually parents are overloaded with one-zies and bottles- but what are they going to do with the baby? READ! It is never too early to read with children, to introduce them to the sound of your voice, the sound of books, the sounds of this world!

Typically when people give books, they give- Goodnight Moon and Brown Bear Brown Bear! Be on the look out for new and exciting titles. Otherwise people end up with 5 copies of the same book (which can come in handy- but that is a different post!).

My new favorite baby shower gift is Nikki Grimes' newest board book, Welcome Precious! A perfect addition to new baby's book collection!

I love gifting books that are actually all time favorites of children I know. Good Night Baby - by DK Publishers was my god daughter's all time favorite!

Getting ready for bed books are always welcomed! It helps with establishing routines in the home. Time For Bed- is a beautiful classic by Mem Fox that very few people have in their libraries at home, but a real winner with babies!

Baby C loved This Little Chick By John Lawerence. He loved the sing-song pattern and rhythm in the book. It reads much like a song! Another book with this same quality is I Kissed the Baby- By Mary Murphy. It is fun to read with babies snuggled up close! These books are easy for babies to attend to because of the heavy repetition and sense of music in these texts.

Be different- for the next shower you are invited to- and give the gift of a book! Help lay the corner stones for that child's love for reading! When the baby arrives- you will have a gift that you will be able to share with that child for years to come. Who knows, maybe it will become their oall time favorite book! Remember babies grow out of one-zies!

Wishing you reading smiles.