I recently had the pleasure of becoming a grandmother. And, yes, everything people say about becoming a grandparent is absolutely true. You will bond with your grandchild in ways that are unimaginable. For me, bonding with my grandson means cuddling with him while reading a book aloud.
It has been a long time since I read to my own children every night. We had our favorites – the rhythmic stories of “Goodnight Moon” and “Hand Hand Fingers Thumb,” the wonderful tale of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” and the wild rumpus from “Where the Wild Things Are.” When we read to our children we are building early literacy skills that will make them better learners by the time they reach school. For me, it’s also about sharing a very special moment and instilling the gift of a lifelong love of reading. Whether you are a first time grandmother like me, or a parent who wants to build a home library for your child, here are some suggested titles to get you started. For more suggestions, download these recommendations from the American Library Association and Children’s Book Council.
Happy reading! Note: All of these titles have been field tested with an 8-month-old.
Margery Brown. “Goodnight Moon“. Another bedtime story, with rhymes and lovely illustrations. A classic tale that endures.
Ed Emberley. “Where’s My Sweetie Pie?” An interactive lift the flap book featuring a variety of animals hiding in different places with a surprise ending that reveals who the real sweetie pie is.
Helen Oxenbury. “I Can“. A board book about a baby involved in typical baby activities. Delightful illustrations.
Al Perkins. “Hand Hand Fingers Thumb“. A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.
Maurice Sendak. “Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months“. One of four in the classic Nutshell Library collection that also includes an alphabet book, counting book and cautionary tale. Timeless.