It was a long post yesterday, so I'll try to keep it short today. Besides, it's Saturday! I'd like to share some of GreenGuy's past favorites.
Technology is so advanced these days, that so much visual stimulation can become an obstacle that prevents your child from developing an active imagination. Don't get me wrong, computers can be wonderful learning tools, but nothing can ever replace a picture book when it comes to sparking creativity and imagination.
A book that my son and I keep coming back to is Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon Pie Adventure, by Tony DiTerlizzi. The illustrations alone in this book are fascinating. The main character, Jimmy, loves Moon Pies so much that he builds a "junk jumbilee jalopy" that takes him to the moon. Along the way, he meets the moon and some aliens. He soon realizes that even the scariest looking alien can have a big heart. Even the small aliens are afraid of the huge "Grimble Grinder," but then the monster ends up saving the day for Jimmy, in a very clever way. This book subtly addresses diversity, tolerance, and even the importance of recycling and reusing things. Most of all, though, it shows us the power of young minds, and how we should never underestimate our children.
If your child is not quite ready for Harry Potter or A Series of Unfortunate Events, he or she might enjoy a fantasy chapter book series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, called The Spiderwick Chronicles. These books are just the right length for newly independent readers, and are filled with fantasy and mythical creatures. GreenGuy really enjoyed this series. These books were so popular that they were made into a movie. While this is a great series, they may be scary for some children. I suggest that you check out the first book from the library before you even consider buying the set. It's also on sale at Amazon.
It's important to note that it's often best not to try to make every book a topic of discussion. If you want your child to develop a love of reading, then just enjoy reading, laughing, and enjoying books together. If he or she reads the same book over and over, and wants to discuss one or two things about it, that's great. But sometimes, we have to let books send their messages without any help from us moms. Tony DiTerlizzi's books make learning fun. Isn't that what reading is all about?
Enjoy reading with your child today! As always, if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to comment.
