From: Robin Smith <smithr>
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 11:05:28 -0600

Thanks Laura and Anne for two important points: books are for all children and books build a sort of visual vocabulary.

I am quite interested in the visual vocabulary that is being nurtured when little people look at pictures. They are learning about color and line and visual tricks. And they are learning about things they might never experience in their daily life. Does George get to drive in big trucks or convertible cars? Probably not. But, reading simple picture books allows him to imagine himself behind the wheel. Five hundred readings of the Boynton books later--and the baby knows what comes and the end of the sentence "Three singing pigs say..."

The humor and visual puns that keep the adult reader engaged are also working their way into the brains of the baby reader and listener. They chortle appreciatively when the picture shows something ridiculous, even if it is just pigs singing. They know that Froggy is missing his hat or pants or even his underwear and that they are in on the joke, even if they are just two.

The rhythm and rhyme also build a playful vocabulary that is so important when children eventually learn to read on their own.

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My neighbors have two children, 2 and newborn, and we love hearing what books are the favorites of Bobby and Jenny. Here are some new favorites at their house:

Bee Bim Bop by Linda Sue Park Hug by Jez Alborough Peedie and Gossie books by Olivier Dunrea Let's Sign by Kelly Ault and Leo Landry (more for the parents of Bobby, whose Easter Seals daycare signs as a matter of course for all the children)


I wonder how many copies of Little Fur Family we bought when our kids were little? We had the tiny version..."warm as toast"

Robin
Received on Mon 07 Nov 2005 11:05:28 AM CST