We are a book loving family. Deen would spend his whole day reading books if he could and that is something that makes me proud. I have always loved to read and when I was pregnant with him I envisioned reading books to my child. I currently don’t have a reading area, but in our new house(that we are currently building) I am hoping to incorporate a reading area somewhere for our kids. I started reading to Deen him early on and I think that honestly helped him with his advanced vocabulary. We also loved baby signing time but we can talk about that another day.
Reading to your child from the time they are a baby creates a love for reading that the child will continue nurture throughout their life.
Board Books Vs Paper Books?
When I was searching for books for Deen when he was a few months old I couldn’t decide whether to purchase a board book vs paper books. From what I see, the difference is that sometimes the paper books include a few more pages to the story that the board book doesn’t have.… BUT… the book is so much safer with a toddler if you buy the board book version. The child will enjoy holding the book on their own and you as a parent will not be worried that your child will tear the pages. For a baby to about a 2 1/2 year old I do believe its a better idea to buy the board book copy as this will last you for years to come.
· Studies prove that the most important thing adults can do in preparing
young children for success in school and reading is to read aloud
with them.
· Many doctors believe that a child that has never had the experience
of being read to is not a fully healthy child. The American Medical
Association has suggested that all doctors prescribe “reading to
children”.
· Reading aloud with children regularly is an extremely effective
medium to build relationships and communicate with children.
• Children’s self-esteem grows as they experience the security of having
a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.
• Children experience increased communication with parents and
other family members.
• Children are introduced to new concepts such as colors, shapes,
numbers, and alphabet, in a fun, age appropriate way.
• Children build listening skills, vocabulary, memory and language skills.
• Children develop imagination and creativity.
• Children learn information about the world around them.
• Children develop individual interests in special subjects like dinosaurs,
cats, or cars.
• Children learn positive behavior patterns and social values.
• Children learn positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
• CHILDREN LEARN THE JOY OF READING!
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is a fun interactive book that Deen and I read a million times over. Aaliya has taken interest in books recently and the 
which is equally as cute. These books have stood the test of two kids and passed with flying colors. Each page has something related to the theme of the book hiding under an item. The child is then supposed to lift the flap in order to find if the item is hidden under the flap. These flaps are extremely easy for a young child to get to since it is a board book type of flap that is large. Some lift the flap books have flaps that are made of a thin paper and it can be extremely difficult and frustrating for young children to try and lift the flap up but the 
and I hope to add more 
is associated with amazing memories for me of my reading relationship with Deen. Deen at the age of 13 months could already recite the words to this book. I would read to him and say, “A cow makes…” and he’d say “moo…” a sheep says “baa” three singing pigs say.…then he would point and in his adorable baby voice say “no no noo nooo” thats not right… the pig says ” oik” all day and night. Although he couldn’t pronounce everything completely it was even more adorable and I don’t know if I will ever be able to give this book up. I wish I had recorded it with my video camera like I had planned to do on so many instances but yet they grow up so quickly and somehow time passes you by.
— Now I am not completely sure what it was about this book that held Deen’s interest for months. For a few months this was honestly Deen’s favorite book (probably around 16 months). At 16 months this was his must read bedtime book. The book is about a zookeeper who checks on all the animals at night before he goes to bed but a cheeky gorilla steals the zookeepers cage keys and the Gorilla sneakily lets out all the animals that the zookeeper says goodnight to. This book is made up of very few words but the pictures seem to captivate toddlers. Deen’s favorite part in this book was when the lights went off and the only thing showing on the page was the zookeepers wifes big eyes.The copy we own is the extra large board book, I’m not sure if that made the difference in why he loved it but its worth checking out.
— I do not think any home library should be without this book. This calming tale is so relaxing and the last picture of the room with the night sky showing trough the window is one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen in any board book. The book starts off in the great green room and states all the interesting items in the room and then we say goodnight to all of them. This book not only winds your child down but it also winds you (the parent) down. I personally love this book and believe this is a must have book that belongs in every childs bookshelf. Goodnight Moon is a peaceful, calming, lulling book that will surely have you and your child yawning and ready to go to bed.
(which is also a captivating story),
(such a sweet book but I find that Deen only started loving this book now at age 3 and this post is about favorite books for a one year old.),
(This is such a popular book amongst kids at this age and I always see it mentioned on various forums but Deen
( rythmic verses and simple watercolor like pictures are very popular with kids.)
