Raising a Reader

There’s a certain magic in cuddling up in a comfy spot with your little ones to read a book. A new joy comes along as they begin to learn to read on their own. PBSParents.com has some great ideas on how to best encourage your emerging reader. Suggestions include steering clear of commonly-used phrases like “try to read a bit slower” or its counterpart “try to read a bit faster.” The article also mentions not saying “you know this” but rather asking if she or he recognizes any part of the word.

Always a resource, Ridgewood Public Library provides terrific lists of children’s books on its web site. When my children were little, one of our all-time favorites was “The Seven Silly Eaters” by Mary Ann Hoberman. It’s laugh-out-loud humor written in a fun-to-read verse about a seven-sibling household in which each child only eats one thing. If you are looking to add some new favorites to your book shelves, stop in to one of these places:

Bookends – 211 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood; 201-445-0726. Widely known for its celebrity author events, Bookends also has a very impressive children’s section.  Open daily (even on Sundays!).

Books, Bytes & Beyond – 197 Rock Road in Glen Rock; 201-670-6766. This wonderful spot is specifically geared toward children. Open Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m.