As I have said before, I am not a book person. I do however REALLY want my kids to be book people because I know of its many many benefits. So I'm trying really hard to introduce them to books and to make it fun. So far it is working! P LOVES books!
I have a strange addiction to buying books which is good and not good at the same time. But now I have a solution to the problem, it is called the local library. I know, not foreign to most people, but the concept to me was a little intimidating. For months I have been bringing the kids to toddler/baby story time which has been fun. I thought I was such a good mom for doing it too. lol. But it hasn't been until recently that I actually started checking books out.
Can I tell you, IT IS AMAZING! Parker LOVES it!
At first I was kinda intimidated and would just grab a few random books and hurry out the door in hopes that at least one would be good. There are SOOOO many books I didn't really know where to begin. But over the past couple of weeks those feelings have gone away, especially as I see how much P loves them. We honestly have about 15 books checked out right now and we read them all the time! I introduce them the first day we get them, and then let P choose which ones he wants to read every other time. And once he starts not picking one anymore, I take it back to the library and we get more. It is so fun!
One of the best things about our library is that it is literally 3 blocks away! So if it is not raining, we walk there which is good for me and the kids! Our library also has an AWESOME family/kids area with tons of toys, puzzles, blocks, puppets, and more! P & Em have a blast playing while I have fun finding books I think P will love. I normally pick out about 6 and after one or two readings I can tell if he likes it or not. If he doesn't I take it back sooner and if he does we read it about 4 times a day. Most of the books we read he has memorized within the first two days of reading. This kid is so smart! Some of them he even "reads" out loud to himself. I love it! It brings a huge smile to my face. His recent favorite is "Cat the Cat, Who Is That?" This is how he reads it:
" Cat, Cat ..... THAT!? MOUSE! Hi mouse. Cat, cat .... THAT!? DUCK! Hi Duck ... pleasure. Cat, cat ... THAT!? FISH! Hey dude! Friends. Cat, cat ... THAT!? Eep! Blarggie, Blarggie! Friends!"
Actual translation:
"Cat the cat, who is that? It's Mouse the mouse! Hi, Mouse the mouse! 'Hello there!'
"Cat the cat, who is that? It's Duck the duck! Hi, Duck the duck! 'A pleasure, as always!'
Cat he cat, who is that? It's Fish the fish! Hi, Fish the fish! 'Hey, dude!'
Cat the cat likes her friends!
Cat the cat, who is that? (picture of a weird looking monster) EEP!
(monster then says) 'Blarggie Blarggie!'
It's a New friend!! Blarggie Blarggie!"
A silly book, but the P-man LOVES IT!
Anyway, I am happy to report that I am no longer intimidated by the library! I have a blast every time we go. It is so fun watching P learn new words with each book we get. It is fun to listen to him read. It is fun reading to him. Everything about it is wonderful!
It is still a challenge to find age appropriate books for him. That is, books with words, but not too many words. Here are some of his favorites in case you are in the same boat as me. Also, if you have any you would recommended please let me know!
Happy Reading!!
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