We’ve long since embraced the courage to read books for babies and toddlers. Even in the womb, the rhythm and flow of words from the mother or other reader seem to calm and possibly inspire satisfaction for the baby. While there are many other factors in the production of healthy, vibrant, book-loving children, reading to them is enormously valuable. As we move away from paper printing and into a digital age, bound books are sometimes lost. They are still present on electronic devices, but they are not physically present in the old way of turning pages. Reading is something to keep in mind as we fast-forward the page, but it’s also the touch of quality interior, the slip of your fingertip when the next image is revealed, the smell of print and , for babies, the taste of paper, the jacket and cover book.
Research indicates that reading books is powerful, but actually owning them is even more important. Successful reading often indicates a home Interlibrary Loan. I suppose this encompasses visual presence, lined gait through bookshelves, colorful spines, attractive font and style of words, and especially drawing of illustrations. Whether on the cover as in adult books or children’s books, the images ignite the imagination, attract the reader to read, and also guide reading. When a child knows words, he reads them; When the child is unsure, the images serve as reminders to awaken memory and interpretation. My oldest son read that way. He had favorite books that we read frequently and at five he read himself, not really “reading” in the true sense, but by using the memorization of previous rounds and the illustrations in the book, he was able to “read” the story orally. “Pretend to read,” I called him, and he was charming.
The holidays are here and we are buying gifts like crazy. The internet has taken on a wildlife of its own as a click or two packs of packs and packs to speed up at our doorstep. Some claim that it is cyber sales that attract them, but I think it also implies the ease and simplicity of the business. The biggest problem, of course, is that items sometimes arrive in odd colors, odd sizes, and odd designs. They can be in three pieces instead of one, or come with 99 correct parts and the hundredth missing in the box. The assembly keeps parents awake until after midnight on Christmas Eve to make the morning delight ring throughout the home. And in that delight, paper and ribbons and a mix of gifts surround the tree and fill every crack. Do I have a suggestion to help ease this chaos? Books!
The books fit perfectly on Santa’s list. Don’t worry about size or color, don’t worry about style or design. Local stores have a good selection and of course for internet lovers there are thousands of additional options. Recommendations abound if uncertainty prevails over a title, and many offers allow you to turn a few pages to scan the rhyme and content reasoning. Clicks flow easily and soon the pack will land on the door step. While there is still sorting and wrapping in store, it is not possible to assemble bicycles and train sets. Don’t worry about batteries or charging up front, as books don’t require any of this action. They just need the buyer to run a hand over the cover, add a thankful smile and a twist through a couple of pages, and the cute paper wrapper and bows.
Better yet, as dinner simmers and roasts, quiet murmurs invade the scene as grandpa reads a new mystery, grandma is engrossed in the latest romance, and mom and dad take turns reading aloud about bears and castles, magic and realism, enriching the air with words. . Books pile on the floor, surround today’s meeting, and will last a lifetime. Although the pages may contain syrup and a tear or tear, they are possessions of immeasurable benefit to be shared and cherished forever. And if they get old and tired, there are book exchanges available, there is no trip to the dump for a good read.
The idea of reading encourages brain waves and asks the reader to learn and understand more. Readers soon discover that holiday and birthday books are inadequate to satisfy the thirst for knowledge. Fortunately, the public library is open and welcoming.
