Once again the prospect of spring looms in the air with the arrival of March, the first month of the spring season. March is also known as National Reading Month with March 2nd (Dr. Seuss’s birthday) being designated as Read Across America Day. This year the National Education Association (NEA) is calling upon educators and supporters to share the childhood book that meant the most to them. As we fondly recollect the stories of our childhood that have turned us into avid readers, we tend to want to pass along this penchant to others because of the joy it brought us. Unfortunately, sometimes when we try to instill this love of books to a child it can come across as an edict, but when a storybook tells a child how wonderful books can be, children will often sit up and take notice. There are many picture books that extol the value and joy of books and reading. Look for those whose message is subtle, without a preachy tone. The best ones seamlessly interweave the message into the story line and illustrations. Subtle messages also offer an opening into a discussion that children will easily engage in with little prompting. Look through the following suggestions and choose some to share with your child. You never know which one will ignite that spark that will create a lifelong reader.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
     "And so our story ends as it began...with the opening of a book." That ending always makes my heart melt! This is a beautiful story and arguably our favorite picture book extolling the joy and wonder of books and reading. Although this isn't a silly story or very humorous one, it is poignant and touching and every child we have ever shared it with has listened with rapt attention to the story of Morris Lessmore and his life amongst the books.
      *Extended activity: after reading the book, watch the short film.

Scarecrow Pete by Mark Kimball Moulton
​     Upon opening this book the reader is met with this wonderful line: "Why, I can go most anywhere by reading a good book." The story centers around a young boy in the middle of his summer vacation. He discovers that the scarecrow in his family's cornfield can talk and loves nothing more than a good book. Although Scarecrow Pete, as the boy learns he is called, is stuck in one place all the time, he is still able to go on amazing adventures thanks to the trunk of old books that sits at his feet. The pair spend the entire summer getting lost in the pages of those books, forging a deep friendship and appreciation of stories. Told through rhyming text that flows in the style of a long poem, this story is best enjoyed aloud and Pete's ending words are sure to stay with you long after you close the book... 

I Love My Little Storybook by Anita Jeram
     We love this little storybook! We truly, truly do. And the bunny in this book loves his little storybook too. The bunny explains all of the reasons why his storybook is so special, and as things moves along, the fanciful story of the bunny's book comes alive in the illustrations. The reader is brought into the magic forest right along with the bunny, seeing many amazing sights such as unicorns, a frog wearing a crown and mice with wings! Read this one slowly and allow your little bookworm time to really look at the illustrations and find all of the magic hidden there.

The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty
​     Someone is stealing all of the bedtime stories! But who could it be? As all of the little critters in Burrow Down are settling in for a bedtime story, their books are disappearing. A rabbit named Eliza Brown decides to stay up to catch the culprit and discovers it is a Snatchabook. The sad little creature doesn't have anyone to read him a bedtime story. Eliza Brown convinces the Snatchabook to return all of the stories and all of the critters in Burrow Down takes turns reading to the Snatchabook. This rhythmic, rhyming story has elements of mystery and suspense that help keep little ones engaged and it is also a great story for teaching children about empathy without being overly preachy about it. Everyone wants to be read to!
     *Look for Docherty's other story The Storybook Knight, which is another story all about the joy and wonder of books!

You Can Read by Helaine Becker
     "You can read in the classroom. You can read in the park. You can read on a mission undercover in the dark." This book celebrates the fact that reading can happen any time, anywhere and with anyone. With well-paced rhymes, the text goes through all of the possible places you can read, including some locations that are not so practical, such as under the sea. Giggles are sure to happen when children take a closer look at the illustrations. Be sure to point out the title of the books being read in the illustrations as they pertain to what is being depicted and add to the humor.

For more titles that celebrate books and reading, check out our list here and share your favorites with us in the comments!

​Happy reading!

​     The magic descends upon us on February 26th for Tell a Fairy Tale Day! This is one day that brings attention to the wonder and benefits of fairy tales. By reading a fairy tale to your child you will share the positive influence that these tales bring, not only to a child’s own life, but on their view of the world at large. Instinctively, we all know that a child needs to be exposed to the contrast of good and evil to send the message that good can and does prevail over evil. The best and easiest way for parents and educators to teach children these concepts is by reading fairy tales aloud. Unfortunately, many people feel a need to protect young children from the harshness of reality by sharing watered down versions of classic fairy tales, but theories argue that it is the very savageness of original fairy tales that will make a positive contribution to a child’s development. Children know that evil exists. What they need to be shown is that evil can be conquered (the wicked stepmother, the dragon, the witch etc.) and good can prevail. Eighteenth century German poet, philosopher and playwright Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller remarked that “deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales told to me in my childhood than in any truth that is taught in life.” And Mem Fox remarks in her book, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever, “If we sanitize everything children read, how much more shocking and confusing will the real world be when they finally have to face it?” In other words, fairy tales should open the door for deep discussions between you and your child and allow your child to dream and take risks within the safety of the story environment. 

​     Child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim explains a child’s need for magic in his book The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales: “The fairy tale proceeds in a manner which conforms to the way a child thinks and experiences the world; this is why the fairy tale is so convincing to him. He can gain much better solace from a fairy tale than he can from an effort to comfort him based on adult reasoning and viewpoints. A child trusts what the fairy story tells, because its world view accords with his own.” 

​     Fairy tales are timeless stories with staying power, evident in the fact that they are told and retold time and time again over centuries. Fairy tales teach morals and values while enhancing the imagination and creativity that already exists naturally in children. So don’t just read a fairy tale on February 26th but include them as a read aloud option often to bring to life the magic of imaginative, faraway places where light triumphs over dark.

For further information on the benefits of reading fairy tales, check out 10 Reasons Why Kids Need to Read Non-Disney Fairy Tales from Brightly.

Also, take a look at our Fables, Folktales & Fairy Tales book list for some great titles to share.

Happy reading!

February 1st, World Read Aloud Day, brings global attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories with others. Reading aloud to a child is possibly the single most important activity you can undertake to help ensure a bright and promising future.

​Don’t reserve reading aloud just for children. Read aloud to anyone who will enjoy a good story, which is everyone. Spread the love and the joy that are books. Learn more about the power and impact reading aloud can have on your child's life in our handbook: The Art and Importance of Reading Aloud!