BOOKS AFFAIR - An Everlasting Bond

A big deal is made about introducing books to children at a very early age. Say ummm...as early 3-4 yrs, or even much before that. And why not? Everyone at any given point in time have read or come across benefits of reading books. Especially when the habit is cultivated in early childhood. 

Just when we were thinking of writing this post about books for children we came across a 2-minute read in Mumbai Mirror about how and why it is essential to introduce books to a child. In the article, according to a new research if children are surrounded by books as early as age 4, a part of their brain involved in language and thought develops quicker by 18 or 19. Also access to educational toys, trips to zoo and amusement parks can also help. Alternatively if introduced at the age of eight these books and treats seem to have little impact on the brain, suggesting age four is the critical time in its development. The brain is a kind of "super-sponge," absorbing new information more easily than at other times and developing in major leaps.Especially in first three years of life. So this would be a window of opportunity to introduce books to children to nurture a relationship they would develop in the years to come.

The objective of our post is not to point out the benefits of inculcating the habit of reading, but most importantly WHAT to read especially to a child of such young age.

To start with we can quote an apt saying by Maya Angelou (a famous American author and poet)                                                                    “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.”

We would like to share our acquaintance with some of the books that our kids of 3 have been enjoying and just can't get enough of them.

Fiction Books:

The first in the category is the series of books by JuliaDonaldson an English writer. She has a very poetic approach to gripping a child’s attention. The Snail and the Whale, The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom, Charlie Cook's Favourite Book to name a few are available at major bookstores as well as online. These books are high on vocabulary and rhyming words. This helps them in remembering not just the new words they read but also the story easily. The best part of these books is the level of imagination it takes you to with some small message for the young readers. The illustrations and drawing are very captivating. Believe us, we are constantly in look out for this author’s collection.

Informative Books:

Usborne’s Young Reading includes informative reads like The Story of Cars, The Story of Trains, The Story of Flying provides simple history of these transport vehicles in a very easy to understand language.

Their series of First Encyclopedias of our World, Space etc. for our young readers, answer many of the complicated questions about the world around us in very simple and basic terms.

Their hardbound copy ofIllustrated Bedtime Stories (it’s a collection of stories) make a perfect read before night time of snooze.

We would really appreciate if you can share some authors from your end too, for we believe that one can never have enough of books.

We all want a bright, smart and intelligent child which is why we spend so much time choosing the right schools and making sure teachers are exceeding expectations. But in all the mêlée we as parents forget, that we have the power to boost our children's learning potential simply by making books an integral part of their lives.

Watch out for our Sequel to Books Affair for the Educational Books (not school) for the young readers.