What? I knew it was important to start reading to your baby early! Plus, she was a slow drinker and I was bored without a book. (Find more suitable books for babies and children here.)
The first age-appropriate book she's ever heard (click here for Board Book Suggestions) was probably We're Going On A Bear Hunt, about a million times (even now, if somebody happens to utter "what a beautiful day", I automatically respond with "we're not scared"). Then came Slinky Malinki and Hairy Maclary, and before I knew it, she was 4 years old and we'd moved on to chapter books.
Meanwhile, her younger brother digested a steady diet of Maisy (shudder!), Spot, Barney, My Little Pony (!!!), Little Einsteins and Thomas the Tank Engine. He's going to school this year, so imagine my surprise when he picked up a Tellytubby book at the library (Tellytubbies are banned from our household) and demanded a read. And again.
Perhaps letting him listen to Nelly The Monster Sitter (aimed at 10-12 year olds) had been a mistake, after all, but if I have a choice between reading
- "Laa-laa dance. Bye bye, Po" and
- "What is it with Sundays? Before you know it, the Sun is gone, the Day's gone and your school homework deadlines are looming"
well, guess which one it's going to be.
Still, as they grow up, I'm beginning to see their independence manifest itself in their choice of books. The girl is reading "Tinkerbell and friends" now, alongside Asterix; while the boy is demanding "new stories" about anything, as long as they are something he hadn't heard before. Sigh. I'm not a Harry Potter fan, but I have no doubt that I'll be subjected to both the DVDs and the books before long.
(More links:
- Australian Classics - we love Mem Fox
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