Last week, we talked about all of the grandma stuff we’ve collected over the past few years since we became grandmas. After Round 1 of parenting, we purged everything – only to find out we would need it all back when we became grandmas. The books, however, they made the cut for Round 2. I saved ALL of them. I’ve always loved children’s books and have had a pretty healthy children’s book library since the time my own littles were little.
Reading to children is important. It’s made a difference in my children’s lives. Here’s a list I found that confirms what I’ve always thought:
- Reading to young children sets them up to succeed
- Reading develops language skills
- Exposure to reading exercises your child’s brain
- Reading enhances a child’s concentration
- Reading together encourages a thirst for knowledge
- A range of books teaches children about different topics
- Reading develops a child’s imagination and creativity
- Reading books with children helps to develop empathy
- Books are a form of entertainment
- Reading together helps to create a bond
We didn’t have much money to do a lot of “fun things” with our littles, so we spent a lot of time at free places like the local library or the museum on Mondays. We’d check out stacks of books from the library and then sit and read book after book after book.
As our children grew a bit older and our finances changed, we began to grow our own library of books.
I miss the local children’s book stores. Sadly, they’re becoming a thing of the past. A few good ones are still around but not many. I loved to visit them with my littles. Not only did they have great books, they were usually quite entertaining as well. We rarely left without a few good books – usually those recommended by a very knowledgeable shop owner.
I try really hard to read books to my littles over FaceTime. Trust me, it’s not easy. It’s hard to book “bond” with them when a screen and hundreds of miles are separating us. I just want to get cozy on the couch with them. Unfortunately, that’s not possible so we do what we can and I’m thankful to at least have FaceTime.
I asked Go Grandma followers about their book collections. They shared some of their favorites:
Kristy B:
Pauline V:
Kate T:
Andrea G.
Allison R.
Brooke S.
Martha L.
Christie S.
Zhenya D.
Stephanie H.
Jenny O.
Here are a few of my favorite books and authors. It was really had to pick just a few. Last time I visited the littles I was reading them “Love you Forever” by Robert Munsch (their very own copy that I bought them). I dare you to read that to your littles without crying. I dare you.
Thank you to everyone that sent me their favorite titles! Now I have a few more I can add to my grandma library. What are your favorite children’s books?
