Books to Get Young Children Hooked on Reading

Over the years I have had young parents come to me seeking answers about which books they should be reading their young children. My three children are all older now, so I guess those young parents assume I can; from years of experience recommend some great and timeless books for young readers and listeners. Well, I think I can! The books mentioned in this article were favorites of my three children; two girls and a boy, as well as me and my husband. My husband and I would make up music, and read in differing voices which really kept the kids attention, and made them want more. We began reading to them while still in my tummy; my husband thought it would make them happy, so each night he would read to my stomach. It seems silly but I have to admit it was a grand and relaxing way to end a hectic day.
So, Books that may not make your child a genius but will I promise; instill a love of reading and with luck, writing.

"Where the wild things Are"- by Maurice Sendak - Great for toddlers and you'll have a blast making up voices for the various characters. You can make up music for the pages without text and your child might even dance while looking at the great artwork on the pages. Every family I know has come up with their own special way of reading this story; it truly is a versatile and amazing book.

"Noisy Nora"- by Rosemary Wells- This is a fabulous but little known (it seems) book about a young mouse. The story has a lot of opportunity to use differing voices and volume, and makes kids want to know what she'll do next! Has a repetitive "catch phrase" that kid's can "read" right along with you.

Any Richard Scarry book- Richard Scarry's books are fabulous for not only teaching the spoken language through you reading out loud, but also for identifying objects, their sounds/names. All while having fun; your child is learning that pesky skill of recognition, the foundation of reading and writing.

"Light in the Attic", "Falling up", "Where the Sidewalk Ends","The Giving Tree" - by Shel Silverstein- These are just a few of his children's books. Many are full of wonderfully silly poetry which children of all ages love. We started reading these to our kids as infants; they would smile their little toothless smiles and stare up at our faces as we read. When they got older and began reading them on their own they would incorporate the poems/stories into the little plays they would put on. They would even have contest's to see who could read a certain poem or passage the fastest. Silverstein's' books are great for ages 0 to 100. I truly believe that Shel Silverstein and Richard Scarry are the reason my kids are such great and avid readers today.

"The Little Critter's books" - by Mercer Mayer - We loved these books as much as the kids did. Full of cute characters, great subtle artwork and attention grabbing stories for young minds. Little Critter and his family are so lovable that you will want to keep up with them and your children can grow into book lovers with them.

"The Ugly Duckling" - by Hans Christian Andersen - A classic that will go on as long as we maintain the written word! This book teaches a life lesson right along with instilling a love of stories and reading.

"The Piggy in the Puddle" - by Charlotte Pomerantz - This was a family favorite and my husband would have a blast reading this one with different rhythms while the kids laughed and yelled "NOPE!" along with muddy little piggy. A great book that will have the entire family laughing, what could build a love of the written word faster than laughter?

"Corduroy (the bear) books" - by Don Freeman - these books are great at introducing everyday situations that children will find themselves in; such as getting a hair cut, first dental visit, babysitters, meeting new friends and other of life's' "little-big" situations.

"I spy " and "Wheres Waldo" type books are an amazingly fun way to play with your children while getting them used to holding books and viewing them as a fun alternative to other types of activities.

I urge you to read to your children as often as possible, and remind you that it is never too early to begin reading to your child. Teach them their ABC's and the foundation of reading and writing before they start school if at all possible. It makes the experience of beginning school so much less stressful for them and will in turn give them a life long love of learning. Give the gift of books on birthdays and holidays, a child is more likely to read if they have access to a variety of material and books that are "their very own".