Noey has come a long way from the days when he used to think of his books as snacks.
These days, his books are his favourite source of entertainment. He definitely prefers them to toys. After he's done wandering around our room after he wakes up, he would frequently head straight for his bookshelf in his room and pull out his books. Then we would hear some silence for a bit, punctuated by occasional declarations of words which he knows: "Bird! Apple! ("AHH-per") Baby! Baa-Baa! (which usually means "butterfly"). (Yes, all with the exclamation marks.)
I listen to him with much amusement and great satisfaction. Being quite the bookworm myself when I was younger, I had hoped to cultivate a love for books and for reading in him. Things didn't seem optimistic first during those early days when he hardly seemed interested -- I could barely start talking about the pictures on the page, let alone actually read the text before he would impatiently try to flip the pages and then, within a minute or so, reach for yet another book. Gradually however, he began to be able to at least sit down while we flip through the pages and sometimes read the text. And he started identifying what he recognised on the pages which I think, was more interesting to him. Now the question "Do you want Papa/Mummy to read to you?" is almost always met with a vigourous nod.
The biggest credit for getting him interested in his books must go to his Papa. DD loves to read to Noey and Noey loves having his Papa read to him. For some reason, he's more receptive to DD reading than me. I don't understand why -- DD agreed with me that the way I read isn't more boring or particularly different from the way he reads! But for some reason, Noey can sit down for significantly longer stretches when Papa is reading to him. Well, I guess I'm also happy to have a bit of a break while they get in their father-son bonding time.
Noey in his favourite reading spot -- Papa's lap. When DD asks him to "sit with Papa" he would get up and plop himself right in there, just so.
Perhaps it's because he doesn't watch any TV so he currently derives his entertainment elsewhere? I don't know, but I'm not complaining. Only thing is, I'm running out of space for his books on his shelf! I really should try to use the library more, but the nearest one to our home is in Queenstown, quite a distance away. I'm also totally hopeless when it comes to finding appropriate books at the library -- I never know what to pick and the books I know I want are always on loan. Nevertheless, I shall perserve.
In the meantime, if anyone has any good recommendations of age-appropriate books, do let me know! His current favourites are the Spot lift-a-flap series, The Gruffalo, Goodnight Moon, and this set of Christian books from the All Join In series -- Jonah is his favourite. Books with colourful illustrations of animals are also good.
I have high hopes that he will be a bookworm yet.
Bean LOVES Spot lift the flap series. Everyday without fail he will bug his dad or me to read every book to him at least once. Good thing I only bought 3 books. Lol.
ReplyDeleteWe love the books by Eric Carle. Try "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" (very effective to teach colours and animals), "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (great for counting to 5) and "Papa, Please Get The Moon For Me".
ReplyDeleteMichelle :: Haha, we also only have 3 books too! Thought of buying more in the set.
ReplyDeleteMG :: Oh yes, we have Brown Bear and the Very Hungry Catepillar. Brown Bear was his favourite book for a long time though he's gone off it a bit recently in favour of newer books. He's not quite so fond of the Very Hungry Catepillar though he likes looking for the catepillar on the pages with food. I'll try the Moon book. Thanks!
it's great that he has cultivated a love for books and reading!! Noey looks really grown up now too :)
ReplyDeleteIf he likes colourful, cartoonish drawings, you can try Sandra Boynton's books - Barnyard Dance, Pajama Time, Moo Baa...all quite nice.
ReplyDeleteyou can start selling the books once he gets tired of them or when you wanna expand your collection. Heck, I'll even take them off your hands and buy them from you just so I don't have to go source around! :) When my peanut comes out, that is...
ReplyDeletefleurpress :: Yes, he seems to have grown up a bit more over the last month. I hope he contines to be interested in them books!
ReplyDeletechocklitmum :: Oh yes! Have heard good things about Sandra Boynton too but I'd forgotten. Thanks for the tip!
lingz :: Trust me, you wouldn't want Noey's books after he's been through them with his grubb fingers and all. I think I might move them to my Mum's/MIL's so that he has books when he visits.
Helloo...Caitlin loves her Brown bear book(s) thanks so much to you! She must say good night to each animal before she goes to bed. Try 'Guess how much I love you' by Sam McBratney if you haven't already, a brilliant read that actually made me tear a little with emotion the first time I read it.
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