Kendal Rautzhan: Just a few benefits of reading to kids
Reading books to children heightens their awareness of understanding about many important things – feelings, understanding the experiences of others, both real and imagined, and expands a sense of compassion and empathy. Reading is a magical journey that has no substitute.
Consider the wise words of Dr. Seuss when he wrote in his book "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!" – “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Add to that quote is another powerful one by Jim Trelease in his "The Read-Aloud Handbook – “Children’s books contain about 50% more rare and unique words than television shows and many adult conversations.”
Help kids be all that they can be by reading to them every day. It’s up to you to steer that ship.
Books to Borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket,” by John Boyne, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, Alfred A. Knopf, 279 pages
Read aloud: Age 8 and older.
Read yourself: Age 10 and older.
Barnaby Brocket is just like any other eight-year-old except for one peculiar thing: he floats. From the moment he was born, Barnaby isn’t able to keep himself on the ground. His parents have never liked anything or anyone that is different, and so having a son that floats is a horrific embarrassment to them. Finally fed up with it all, Mr. and Mrs. Brocket come to a decision – to literally cut Barnaby loose from his family and let him float away forever.
Barnaby’s journey takes him to many distant lands where he meets all sorts of people who share their life stories and in so doing, influence Barnaby in many ways, most especially to accept himself for who he is and that being different is perfectly normal.
This fable-like story is charged with imagination, a cast of very colorful characters, and conveys important messages about accepting differences – both in others and in oneself. Perfectly complemented by the delightful illustrations of Oliver Jeffers, "The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket" is at once profound, heartfelt, funny, and quite magical.
Librarian’s Choice
Library: Stark County District Library, Sandy Valley Branch, 9754 Cleveland Ave. SE, Magnolia
Executive Director: Mary Ellen Icaza
Senior Director of Public Services: Jen Welsh
Branch Manager: Alyssa Bender
Choices this week: “The Longest Storm,” by Dan Yaccarino; “I Love Insects,” by Lizzy Rockwell; “My Two Border Towns,” by David Bowles
Books to Buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“It’s So Difficult,” written and illustrated by Guridi, translated by Lawrence Schimel, Eerdmans, 2022, 38 pages, $17.99 hardcover
Read aloud: Age 5 – 9.
Read yourself: Age 7/8 – 9.
For some, life can be overwhelming with having to be among so many people. Such is the case for the child in this story.
When the child leaves the house to go to school, there is a prickling feeling that won’t go away. The child feels that each step is a triumph. When people say hello, the best the child can manage is a quick smile, but no words because it is “... difficult to speak.” To try and stay calm, the child counts or calculates things to try and relax.
From the bus driver, the loud and far too many people on the bus, the students in school and more, the words will not come. The child’s mother says that someday the words will come, but the child observes “... older people who can’t say what they feel or what they think.” And although the child’s hands sweat and has difficulty breathing, the child is determined to give speaking a try.
A tender and empathetic look at anxiety, "It’s So Difficult" will resonate with children who feel similarly as well for children who don’t quite understand why some people are so quiet.
“The Gift,” by Alain Serge Dzotap, illustrated by Delphine Renon, Eerdmans, 2022, 32 pages, $17.99 hardcover
Read aloud: Age 3 – 7.
Read yourself: Age 6 – 7.
Leo receives many wonderful presents for his birthday, but the one he is most excited about is a red pen that his father gives him. Papa tells Leo that inside his pen are all sorts of beautiful things and that he’ll show Leo when he returns from the market later.
Leo is impatient to see the beautiful things inside his pen and tries to discover them on his own, but nothing comes out. Leo asks his friends and his sister, but no one can help. Finally, he asks his mother, and a magical new world appears for Leo – endless words and drawings.
A delightful story about the delights of learning to write, "The Gift" is spot-on.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kendal Rautzhan: Just a few benefits of reading to kids
