Reading To a Child Who Hates Sitting Still

Recently, while I was describing our night time routine to another mother, she remarked on how lucky I am that my 11 month old will listen to a story or two every night. Her son, she informed me, was “not ready for that yet” because he hates to sit still. I must admit, I wanted to protest loudly that all children are ready for books – some just require a little more creative thinking when it comes to reading aloud. You can’t (or at least shouldn't) force a baby or toddler to sit and listen, but you can work books into your day in a way that helps them reap the benefits without having a meltdown.

Pick Books Based on Songs

Many of your child’s favourite songs have been made into colourfully illustrated books. These are great choices for the active tyke because they’re recognizable, upbeat, often require actions, and - most importantly - they’re fun. Set yourself up near your child and hold the book spread open so he can clearly see the pictures (like a librarian does) while you sing the book to him. Don’t worry if he doesn't always (or often) look up at the book. Some great examples include:

The Wheels on the Bus illustrated by Sylvie Wickstrom

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Old MacDonald had a Farm illustrated by Mandy Foot
If You're Happy and You Know It! illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

Choose Interactive Books

If your child has a short attention span for text heavy stories, you’re not out of the game. Many books for children are interactive and require a different kind of focus. You can introduce your child to visually challenging books (like these best books), physical participation books, or you can read a book that requires verbal interaction. Not all reading looks the same, so try these books even if you have a quiet child who can sit and pay attention to a whole book. Reading is an adventure!

Visually Engaging Books

Where’s Waldo by Martin Handford
I Spy by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick

Physically Engaging

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

Verbally Engaging

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Shout! Shout It Out! by Denise Fleming
Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter

Read During Snack or Meal Time

As counter intuitive as it sounds, a distracted toddler is a great audience for a book. Some kids are just better listeners if their hands are busy. (Some adults are, too, like many knitters.) It’s not safe to allow a baby or toddler to eat and run around at the same time, so use the time they are safely buckled in to the high chair or sitting at the table to read to them. They may even start to equate delicious snacks with reading which is a bonus positive association. You can truly read any book at this point, but you can also match the book with the food if you’re feeling creative:

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McClosky
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert

Build It into the Night Time Routine

Trying to read to a toddler in the middle of prime playing time can feel like hitting your head against a wall. If they’re all riled up and engrossed by their toys you’ll have little to no success pulling them away to do a quiet activity like reading. However, after a bath and a warm cup of milk, they just might feel more calm and in the mood for a story. Reading may appeal to them for no other reason than it gives them a few more minutes awake before lights out. Making a habit of reading before bed can work by giving them time to mentally prepare for reading since they know when time is set aside for that activity every night.

Don’t Read

If you get too caught up in reading a story from start to finish, you may end up just as frustrated as your child. You don’t want to lose all the positive associations with reading you’re trying to create by making story time stressful. So, if your child is resisting the read aloud, try ditching the words! Let them turn the pages as quickly or slowly as they want. Focus on the illustrations and build stories or poems of your own based on the pictures. It still counts because some of the many benefits of reading are exposure to new vocabulary and encouraging imagination. It can be as easy as:

Relating an image to your child’s own life –

“Look how the boy is wearing a red shirt. You wore a red shirt yesterday and we went to the grocery store. Maybe that’s where he’s headed – wouldn't that be a strange coincidence. Hopefully he doesn’t forget the milk like we did!”

“All the children in this picture are playing at the park. Remember the last time we went to the park. We had so much fun. What did we do when we were there? First we…”

OR

Forming an activity based on the pictures –

“It looks like the dinosaur character keeps knocking down the block towers. That looks like fun. Can you build a block tower just like the one in the picture for us to knock down? Let’s sing London Bridge is Falling Down as we do it.”

“Ooooh, this looks like a book about farm animals. Here is a horse. A horse says ‘neigh, neigh!’ Can you go a grab a horse from your toy box and bring it back here?” (Also works with books about shapes, or colours, etc.)

Best Books: Imagination Inspiration

Ah, the imagination. That magical, wondrous part of all of us waiting to be used. Books are meant to inspire the imagination by taking us into the lives of different characters, walking us across the landscapes of different places (real and fictional), and showing us things we may never see in our real lives. Every single story asks us to use our imagination in some capacity, but some books inspire us in very unique ways. I've compiled a list of some books to read to your toddler to get them to think creatively, and to inspire new ways of seeing the world. Pick up any of these books in the book store or local library and get ready to have a lot of fun.

Book: Not a Box / Antoinette Portis

What Makes it Great? This is a book that is heavily dependent on pictures and not story, but simply put; it's about a little rabbit, a box, and a big imagination. This book challenges children to think creatively and to go beyond prescribed uses for things. As the character keeps insisting that what's he's playing with is "not a box", children get a chance to guess what imaginative thing the box is being used for using the bunny's position for clues. I have read this at many story times and the answers always surprise me! There are hundreds of ways to use a box. Also check out the follow up book with the same structure, Not a Stick.

Book: Press Here / Hervé Tullet

What Makes it Great? This is a book for the child who is obsessed with your smart phone. Throughout the pages, you're encouraged to interact with the dot on the page, seemingly manipulating it's movements. Press on it to multiply, shake the book to get it moving, etc. Children will love how they make an impact on the images by moving and touching the book. If your little one can already read, it is a great book for the back of the car on a long ride. If they can't read yet? Cozy up close and read it together, but don't be surprised if you have to read it more than once!

Book: It Looked Like Spilt Milk / Charles G. Shaw

What Makes it Great? Similar to Not a Box above, this book asks the reader to think creatively based on simple images. Each cloud picture has the shape of something recognizable, that your non reader can guess before you read the words. The pictures are no more than white blobs on a bright blue background. Simple and sweet. I suggest reading this book at the park on a nice spring or summer day, and then laying down and finding shapes in the actual clouds above you. Or, on a rainy day, you can create your own bright skies by gluing down cotton balls on blue construction paper in different shapes. Keep those imaginations ever working!

Book: The Book With No Pictures / B.J. Novak

What Makes it Great? While the other books on this list focus on pictures to inspire the imagination, allowing the images to do all the work, this book goes in the opposite direction. As the title states, there are no pictures at all, and the fun comes from the cadence and emphasis used when reading and the silliness rampant in the text. This book needs to be read aloud, and don't be surprised when your very visual child laughs out loud the whole time. When you commit to reading this book, you really have to own it. Use your most enthusiastic voice. Full of nonsense words and hilarious imagery (what does a robot monkey look like?), this book is sure to please.

DIY - Start Your Own Article Club

Let’s face it: we’re all super busy. Too busy to get to the gym. Too busy to have a date night. Too busy to even fit in a shower some days. So no matter how much you may crave adult discussion, or new stimulation, or time to ruminate on ideas, you may feel like you simply do not have the time. 

I'm part of a book club that meets every two months or so, and I really like the chance to discuss literature, and the inevitable transition into others topics, over tea and treats. It's hard, though, to read novels like I used to. First of all, when I get a moment to myself that would be suitable for reading, I probably have a list of other things to accomplish: shower, dishes, get dinner ready, or sit and stare at the wall while holding in sneezes so as not to disturb the baby. Chances to read a page or a chapter are sometimes so rare that I get completely taken out of the story and forget where I left off or important plot points. I love reading so I will continue to find ways to reincorporate it into my life, but I totally understand if you think a book club would be impossible for you right now. If you want the discussion of a book club without the struggle of reading a novel, why not try starting an article club?

What is it? It's the same general idea as a book club, but the required reading is much less time consuming. Choose between one and three magazine or newspaper articles (or blog posts) on a subject to read and discuss as a group. It's a great choice for time strapped parents looking for a social event to host. You can choose parenting articles if you're incorporating it into weekly play dates, or you can choose other topics of interest if your group is more diverse.

Here are some tips to starting an article club of your own.

• If you can, find two articles that take opposite stances on an issue so that everyone comes to the discussion knowing what both sides are saying.

• Pick a timeline. Are you going to meet once every month or quarterly? Articles may not take as long to read as books but getting together can require lots of scheduling mastery.

• Set some guidelines. Does everyone have to have read the article in advance or can people who didn't have time attend without shame? 

• Make it clear that discussions must be respectful. No matter the topic, there are bound to be opposing views, so keep the debates light.

• If you're hosting, consider hiring a baby sitter to tend to everybody's children in your basement play area or den. Parents get to bring their kids along, saving money and anxiety, but don't have distractions during grown up discussion time.

If you choose the parenting theme, here are some article suggestions to get you started:

(October, 2014) The New York Times: A Cure for Hyper-Parenting - Pamela Druckerman

(August, 2014) Philly.com: Siri, Can you Make Me a Better Parent? - Jane Scott

(October, 2013) Forbes: The 5 Most Important Money Lessons to Teach Your Kids - Laura Shin

Mommy Money Matters - Buying Books

We talk a lot about books here at WIYDB, so we've come up with some tips and suggestions for building your home library. Here's when to buy brand new, what to borrow, and where to look for a bargain.

Ages 0-6

Reading is important from birth. You'll notice very early on how your child reacts positively to the sound of words as you read to him from a variety of books. Books can be incorporated into every day play, and reading itself is a sort of game at this stage. Remember to vary your volume and facial expressions while you read as storytelling helps to teach empathy, as well as ideas and vocabulary. You may have read about some amazing books for this developmental stage (maybe even from this blog) but it's important to give your child a little autonomy in choosing which books appeal to them, too. Every book is an experience worth trying out.

Buy: 
There is nothing quite as special as a brand new book and right now some of the most innovative and creative children's books are being published. If you come across a favourite author, or find that your child keeps picking the same book from the library, go ahead and buy it brand new. I would suggest building a home library full of John Klassen, Oliver Jeffers, and Bob Shea. It will be difficult to find these books used, and they really are worth the money.

Borrow: 
Use the library as a testing ground for different types of books. Very young babies like high contrast (think black on white picture books) and looking at other babies. The library will carry a selection of these types of books for this stage that doesn't last too long. Also use the library as a place for your child to explore their own tastes. As soon as they are able, let them select books from the shelf. It doesn't cost you any thing, so check out the whole children's department during the first couple of years. Why not?

Bargain: 
Those classic books that you remember from childhood (like Good Night Moon, The Runaway Bunny, Dr. Seuss, etc.) and always dreamed of reading to your child? They're worth owning as they have a special meaning to you, and will be read often, but there's no need to buy them brand new. They've been around so long that every used book store will have a ton of stock and some are still in perfect condition.

Tips: Board books are meant to withstand a lot of damage. They can be thrown around a room, stomped on, pulled at, and most importantly put into little mouths without getting ruined. Buy a pack of pacifier/toy wipes to give a nice cleaning to any board books you buy used or borrow from the library before you hand them off to your baby to explore. (We like these ones, but any will do!)

Ages 7-13

By the time a child is six or seven, they can most likely read on their own, and they're starting to get excited about "chapter books," a huge reading milestone! At this age, they have more confidence in reading alone, but they're not totally adventurous. Enter the series. Series are so popular at this age because children can read many new books within a set comfort zone. Once the child learns the characters, style, tone, and general vocabulary of a series, they are excited to read every published tome because it is a perfect balance of new and established. Nourish their voracious reading appetites at this stage as it is a building block for lifelong reading.

Buy: 

You may find that you have to buy the hottest new books by the most popular authors (such as Rick Riordan or Kenneth Oppel) at the book store or through Amazon.ca. If your child is an avid reader stuck on a certain author, the library wait list will take too long and the used book stores won't carry it for months. This includes series that must be read in order because the plot of each book builds on the story of the last (like Harry Potter). Luckily, children's books are generally cheaper brand new than adult novels.

Borrow: 

If your child is in to a stand alone series of books - where each book shares a theme, style, and/or topic of interest but stands independent in every other way (think Goosebumps or American Girl) or an episodic series - where each book focuses on a singular adventure but the characters and/or setting carries through the whole set (think Geronimo Stilton or Rainbow Magic) then you're a-ok to borrow them. The library won't guarantee availability so it's easier to use it for books that can be read in any order. Borrowing is also ideal for non-series titles for this reason.

Bargain: 
If your child likes any type of series books, or really likes a certain author (like Roald Dahl) you can seek out a bargain in the form of a full or partial set for one inclusive price. Each individual book can run you anywhere from $7-$20 retail so finding a lot on an online auction or a set at a garage sale or charity book sale is a great way to get many books for one low price.

Tip: Although you may prefer your child move away from picture books, graphic novels are legitimate reading material. If your child is interested in manga, or another graphic novel series, you should encourage it just the same as a more traditional text based series. They will feel more comfortable expanding their interests later if they haven't felt pressured to read prescribed books at this stage.

Tip: Once children demonstrate reading independence, most parents stop reading aloud to them. Don't stop!! There are many benefits to reading aloud to your older child. You're modelling the use of cadence and emphasis. You can choose books beyond what they could read on their own, introducing them to larger vocabulary. Not to mention, you're bonding with them and helping them to love reading.

Best Books: Fun with the Alphabet

Books for children serve many different purposes. They teach a love of reading, an appreciation for storytelling, empathy, literacy - the list goes on and on. While every book helps in development, some books are more obviously didactic, like the classic alphabet book. An introduction to letters is the first step towards independent reading, and publishers have been expanding their offerings as of late. Sometimes, you want something that goes beyond the basic "A is for Apple" alphabet books and are ready to delve into a more creative territory. If that's the case, I strongly recommend you check out these titles. 

Note: I usually have a "What's it About?" section in my Best Books posts, but in this case, I've left that out as they aren't traditionally structured stories. 

Book: Once Upon an Alphabet / Oliver Jeffers

What Makes it Great?

This collection of 26 different short stories (one for each letter of the alphabet) is fun for both adults and children. The illustrations are classic Jeffers, simple and adorable pictures that both depict and enhance the text. The stories are absurd vignettes which highlight vocabulary for each letter while making you laugh out loud. I cannot recommend this book enough.

*My husband, who was hesitant to let me purchase this book at full price, reads this book aloud to our 12 week old and has even given it the following review: "This book is amazing and hilarious. It goes into the list of the greats, like The Stinky Cheese Man." [ed. note: written by Jon Scieszka]

Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom / Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

What Makes it Great?

This is now a classic book, recommended by children's librarians everywhere. The book introduces kids to a personified alphabet with rhyme, action, and onomatopoeia. Using a simple story structure, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom goes through all 26 letters (twice!) in a way that doesn't feel repetitive or boring, but is memorable beyond the traditional song. Check out this book with your 2-5 year old toddler or preschooler and find out together whether or not there will be enough room atop the coconut tree for all the letters A through Z!

Book: ABC of Canada / Per-Henrik Gurth

What Makes it Great?

These days, you can find an alphabet book on almost any topic from dance to things found on the construction site. If you want your alphabet book to do teaching double duty, consider this title which introduces children to the many wonders found in our home and native land, Canada. This book does a great job of highlighting things across the country (it can't be accused of putting Ontario above everyone else). To boot, the simple pictures offer big visual impact, with the use of primary colours and thick black outlining.

Book: Animalia / Graeme Base

What Makes it Great?

For an older crowd (ages 4-7), Animalia is a visual feast that will keep kids interested for hours. Graeme Base treats the alphabet right, giving each letter its own intricately designed illustration and alliterative sentence combo. Its difficult to explain the level of detail that has gone into each image in this book, and you're bound to discover something new upon each viewing. Take an afternoon to soak up the "Lazy Lions Lounging in the Local Library" and the "Richly Robed Rhinoceroses Riding in Rickety Red Rickshaws"... you'll be glad you did.

What's your child's favourite alphabet book? Let us know in the comments below.

What to Pack: Going to the Library

New Year's Resolution: Read more books.

If you think about it, the library is actually the key to many of your New Year's Resolutions beyond the (ever noble) goal to read more books. If you're looking to spend more quality time with your children, the library throws events and story times you can attend. If your goal is to save money, the library is the best place to borrow movies, current magazines, and books-free of charge! If your goal is to eat better, the library offers hundreds of cookbooks and popular diet and fitness books to inspire you. If your goal is to learn a new skill, you can head to the library to a class on a new technology, or to a knitting circle. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the point. It's in the best interest of your whole family to get to know your local library better. It's there to improve your quality of life! (Yes, I admit, as a librarian I am biased, but I speak the truth.)

Now that you're convinced of the many merits of your public library, you may be wondering how to get the most out of your visit. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Wear comfortable clothes.

While the library is a haven of acceptance and equality, you'd seriously regret wearing a tight pencil skirt and stiletto heals on a family visit. First of all, you'll probably be there a while, reading to your child, browsing the shelves, or sitting in on a story time. Add to that low shelves or sitting on the floor in a semi-circle, and you'll be glad you're wearing a nice pair of jeans and a sweater. Dressing your child in layers is a good idea (no matter the season), because you never know how active a sing-a-long will get and extended time in an air conditioned space may require a sweater.

Be in the know.

Pick up a calendar of events for your local branch to really take advantage of what's on offer. Some programs require registration or have age specifications, so it's best to get informed about which programs and services are catered to you and your family. It's always fun to head over to the library to simply browse the stacks and take a few titles home to enjoy, but there's is so much more to the library than that. 

Prepare in advance.

If your library has multiple branches, you can use the online catalogue (or a friendly librarian) to request things from other branches. This saves you time, and seriously expands your options. You can also place a hold on books or movies you really want, so that you don't have to be disappointed at your next visit when someone beat you to the punch. This comes in handy if your 7 year old is reading a series of books and needs number 13 next, or if you want to read one of the season's hottest books that just never stays on the shelf.

Pack a snack.

Promoting a love of reading requires positive associations to books (and libraries). You don't want to undermine the activity with a hunger induced grump storm. The library is no place for take-out dinners but most branches are now more lax about food rules so you can bring in your coffee (with a lid) and small dry snacks like granola bars.

A trip to the library isn't a big event, but it is very special. Taking the time to visit your community branch monthly (or weekly) connects you with your neighbours, expands your horizons, and, simply put, is a fun thing to do.

Media Reflection: Bringing Up Bébé

New Year's Resolution: Add to the parenting toolbox.

Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting

Pamela Druckerman

Hardcover, 304 pages

Penguin Press, 2012

ISBN 13: 9781594203336

This book came out when I was working at a large book store chain down town Toronto, and it seemed to be in the basket of every hip, well-read parent. I immediately added it to the to-read pile in my head but only remembered it when I got pregnant. After a few failed trips to the library, I finally snagged a copy, and I'm very glad I persevered.

I absolutely loved this book. Druckerman struck a beautiful balance between her own experiences, what she has observed as an expatriate in France, feedback from French parents, and expert testimony. While I'm not sure I can incorporate everything presented in the book (either because it would feel too unnatural or because I don't fully agree with the principle) I was awed by her findings. She is clear that French parenting is not a philosophy in the way that Attachment Parenting is, and does not suggest that all French parents are the same in an overarching stereotype, while she praises the culture for rearing polite, autonomous children with adventurous palettes.

I'm glad I read it so early, because there are things that can be put into action right away. I've started to do The Pause with Eloise; taking a minute to observe her as she fusses to make sure she needs me to intervene before sweeping her up into my arms. Half of the time, she settles back down as her small vocalizations were part of her sleep and picking her up would disturb her and make her cry for real. I have also started putting her to bed while awake and letting her put herself to sleep, rather than waiting until she's in a deep slumber to put her into her bassinet. As a result, she sleeps longer (and so do I).

I feel like I will come back to this book as she ages, as so many of the tips made sense to me. While I'm not keen on being so laissez faire with her at the park or so stingy with praise, I do want to give her time to be alone and a sense of true accomplishment when she actually does something exceptional. Too much attention can alter a child's understanding of entitlement, but it strikes me as a difficult thing to handle. Luckily, I have time to ruminate on how I can find my own balance in these matters.

I would definitely recommend that parents give this book a read. In North America, we may be guilty of underestimating what children are capable of, and of overestimating how much stimulation they need. As an American in Paris, Druckerman does a great job of comparing the two cultures and describing one way in which they can be mixed together. As I've said before, I really appreciate personal parenting accounts, and this is one worth checking out. If nothing else, read the chapter on eating habits and be prepared to get back your dinner time sanity!

Trend Watch: Elf on the Shelf

Around the holidays, we constantly hear the word "tradition" being thrown around. Some traditions are quite common (a turkey feast, opening presents bright and early Christmas morning) while others are unique to a family and can date back decades. In our family, we are always open to starting new traditions. Every year we add something different alongside the tried and true activities and foods; some ideas stick and some don't make the cut the next holiday season. As families grow and change-with new partners and babies added-it makes sense to find a balance between things passed on from great-grand parents and new 21st century traditions.

The Elf on the Shelf is just such a new tradition. Introduced in 2005, this story book and toy combo requires quite a commitment from anyone looking to add something new and special to their Christmastime. After reading the rhyming story book, parents must find new and creative ways to display the elf to be found by excited children each morning for the month leading up to the big day.

From the website: "The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition includes a special scout elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists. When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day's adventures. Each morning, the scout elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the fun. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their scout elf each morning."

While purists will head to the craft store in November to buy felt and other supplies for the coming month, official branded accessories are available to add to the  expense  fun of the experience. Examples include: an apron, an aviator jacket, and a sports jersey.

The necessary dedication, time, money, and surreptitiousness required is beyond anything I would sign up for, but I am impressed by the parents who decide to take on the challenge in order to add some whimsy to their home. Many of the most creative ideas can be viewed  on (and copied from) Pinterest or other social media photo sharing. It does beg the question: is this solely for the children, or is it just one more way to show off your flawless family to an audience of bedraggled parents? Regardless, I am of the opinion that if you're willing to commit to 25+ original elf tableau every year for the next 10 years, more power to you!

Media Reflection: Beyond the Sling

Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way

Mayim Bialik

Hardcover, 272 pages

Touchstone, 2012

ISBN 13: 9781451618006

So, full disclosure right off the bat: I do not intend to practice Attachment Parenting (AP). I elected to read this book because, as I prepare to embark on my lifelong parenting journey, I’m most interested in reading books by other moms, explaining what they did and why it did or didn't work for them. There is a place and time for medical doctrines and expert guide books, and I’m sure I’ll be reaching for “What to Expect: The First Year” or some similar tome when—sleep deprived and burdened by anxiety—I just can’t get my baby to calm down, but for now I just want to read books that share experiences. Mayim Bialik offers just that: a conversational tone, personal stories, and a set of tips that worked for her and her family. (It also offers a great introduction to Attachment Parenting concepts and methods, but they're weaved into the prose, so it can't be considered a standard introductory guide book.)

Beyond the Sling is broken into three parts (which are then further subdivided): What Baby Needs, What Baby Doesn't Need, and What Mama Needs. Bialik has a PhD in neuro-biology, and so she comes off as informed, but her focus is not so much the science as it is the sense of what feels right for your family and best for your baby. The core principles of AP are discussed: natural child birth, breast feeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing, cloth or no diapering, gentle discipline, etc. While she constantly reminds her reader that she understands the individuality of these decisions, pressure still bleeds through the prose a little bit. There was a lot of "I understand not everyone can or will make these choices, it was simply what was right for me because...I love my babies and want the best for them and this is the best." Which can start to sound like "not everyone will make these decisions because they don't love their babies as much so they'll choose adequate secondary options." That being said, I did not resent her at the end of the book and truly believe that she understands the decision making process and respects other mothers whether they practice AP or not.

While it was easy for me to immediately decide that elimination communication (diaper-less babies roaming free) was not for me, other parts of AP aligned with my beliefs, and I was inspired to find ways in which I could incorporate them into my own choices. It opened up a dialogue with my own set of perceived parenting ideas (and amazing discussions with my husband) as I had to consider why what she was describing was not something I would choose to do. In the end, breast feeding (if I am able), gentle discipline, and some form of baby wearing are the three things I’ll definitely incorporate into my life, but I honestly feel that Mayim would be okay with that.

My favourite take away from this book is the idea of logical consequences for actions. As a part of gentle discipline, Mayim described the oddness of threatening children with seemingly unrelated punishments for actions, ie: "If you don't stop screaming, we won't go to the park later!" What does screaming and the park have to do with each other? Instead, she recommends using language to describe the connection between behaviour and response, such as "The way you keep screaming makes me afraid you won't listen to me when we go to the park later and it's important that you listen to stay safe when we go out." Ah! There's the connection.

While reading parenting books, blogs, and websites that validate your choices can be comforting and offer much needed advice and troubleshooting when most needed, I think it behooves us to read widely about experiences different to our own as well. If nothing else, it gives us pause to reflect on the decisions we make and allows us the time to appreciate the good job we are doing as mothers and fathers. I would recommend this book to those unfamiliar with attachment parenting for just that reason.

Best Books: Hallowe'en

Hallowe'en is right around the corner, and with hundreds of spooky, silly, creepy themed books to choose from, it's a great time to head out to the library for a story session. You probably have a few classics in mind, and your favourite characters likely have Hallowe'en stories on offer, but here are a few can't miss titles for the season.

Ages: 1-4

Book: Go Away, Big Green Monster! / Ed Emberley

What's it About? Page by page, the narrator describes a big, green monster as the parts appear. Once it is fully revealed, he takes control and sends the scary monster away.

What Makes it Great? Visually, this book is tons of fun. The cut outs allow for the perfect pacing, and helps to introduce something "scary" in a way very little kids can handle. In the end, the reader gets to tell the monster to "GO AWAY," which is a very powerful feeling for someone very small. Great to prepare for the sights and sounds of Halloween.

 Ages: 4-6

Book: Bone Dog / Eric Rohman

What's it About? Gus doesn't feel like doing much after his dog Ella dies; not even dressing up for Halloween. But when Gus runs into a bunch of rowdy skeletons, it's Ella--his very own Bone dog--who comes to his aid, and together they put those skeletons in their place.

What Makes it Great? This is a sensitive story about friendship and dealing with loss, but it's also a fun Halloween romp with beautiful illustrations. An older child will appreciate the different levels of this story.

Ages: 7-11

Book: Zombiekins / Kevin Bolger

What's it About? Stanley Nudelman buys a "creepy-cute" stuffed animal from a scary neighbour's garage sale, thinking it is a harmless purchase. Not so much. Over night, the toy turns into an undead monster who, when unleashed at school, starts turning everyone into zombies. It's up to Stanley to fix the problem he's created.

What Makes it Great? This books is hilarious. The pacing of the action is just right for the reluctant junior reader and the subject matter is right on trend. For kids ready for chapter books but hesitant to pick up the books you remember from childhood, Zombiekins is a great pick. 

Best Books: Ages 3-5

Reading with a 3-5 year old is all about building vocabulary, creating positive associations with literacy, interaction, and HAVING FUN! Let your child have a say in book choice and encourage them to "read" with you by selecting books with lots of repetition and onomatopoeia. Try choosing more than one book based on theme, singing a related song, or doing a craft on the theme of the book to build on the experience. The older the child, the more they can participate in the reading. You still may not get to the end of a book with a three year old (be patient) but by now they should have a better understanding of story form and the concept of a book, so it's something to work into every day's activities.

Here are some excellent choices for the 3-5 year olds in your life that you maybe haven't read yet:



Book: Do Like a Duck Does / Judy Hindley

What's It About?

When a fox comes across a mother duck and her babies, claiming to be a duck like them, Mama Duck decides to put him through a series of tests to prove it.

What Makes It Great?

The rhyme scheme in this book is amazing and the onomatopoeia written into the text is super fun. It has the potential for many different levels of interaction, from quacking to getting up and strutting like a duck.

Book: Owl Babies / Martin Waddell

What's It About?

Three owl siblings wake up to discover that their mother has gone out and left them alone. Together, they reassure each other and themselves that she'll be back soon as they consider all the possibilities of her absence.

What Makes It Great?

A great choice for a grandma or babysitter to read as it helps children to deal with the feelings associated with being temporarily separated from their parents. It is a simple and cute story, with a great read aloud flow and beautiful full-page illustrations.

Book: The Bear Snores On / Karma Wilson

What's It About?

One cold night, a forest full of animals all congregate in a bear's cave for an impromptu party while the bear who owns the cave sleeps beside them. But, what happens when the bear wakes up?

What Makes It Great?

The sounds, the rhyme scheme, the repetition: this book has it all! It is simply a joy to read aloud. The illustration style is really nice, too, which makes for a great story time read. Enough stimulation to keep a toddler/child engaged for the whole of the story. A great go-to read.

Book: The Enormous Potato / Aubrey Davis

What's It About?

This story is a fun retelling of Tolstoy's The Great Big Enormous Turnip. When a farmer plants a potato eye in the garden, it grows into the biggest potato in the world, and it takes some serious teamwork to pull it out of the ground to eat.

What Makes It Great?

This book is all about the repetition and humour. As more and more characters join in the struggle to pull the potato out of the ground, their efforts gets added to the text chain. Kids pick up the pattern quickly and read along. And, let's not forget that it's a great moral about team work.

Best Books: Ages 0-2

In an earlier What to Pack column, I discussed the importance of reading to your baby everyday, and suggested throwing a few board books into your diaper bag for impromptu story times. I am so passionate about this topic that I have decided to offer a continuing list of reading recommendations to keep you (and your child) inspired. Each month, I'll highlight a few books that you maybe haven't heard of that will delight children of various ages.

You probably received books at your shower, for birthdays, and even picked some up on your own. Generally, these are the classics: I Love You Forever, Good Night Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, etc. Don't get me wrong, these are wonderful choices and fit into any first library, but I hope to expand your baby book horizons by showing you a few lesser known titles and letting you know why I love them so much. 

To start, I'll focus on books for the littlest readers - birth to age 2. For this age group, board books are best because learning and experiencing the world is a completely tactile process. Babies are still honing their fine motor skills, and board books are made to survive grabbing, throwing, and chewing. Many of your favourite stories come in board book format, but stick to books with minimal text and large colourful images for this stage. Keepsake stories should be purchased in regular soft or hard cover because they are longer lasting.

Book: Where is the Green Sheep? / Mem Fox

What's It About?
As with many books for this age group, there is no particular plot for this book. It does demonstrate many opposites and near opposites, but the real appeal is in the rhyme scheme and flow.

What Makes It Great?

The build up! As we go from page to page, taking note of the different sheep, we have the wonderful repitition of the refrain "where is the green sheep?" As children get a bit older, they anticipate the question, asking it aloud along with the reader. The illustrations are simple but silly.

Book: Little Blue Truck / Alice Schertle

What's It About? 

The little blue truck makes friends every where he goes, as he takes the time to beep hello to the animals he passes along his route. When a big dump truck, with an inflated sense of importance, zooms by and gets stuck in the mud, the little blue truck is the only one willing to help...but everyone steps in to help Little Blue.

What Makes It Great?

This book is full to the brim with sounds, which makes it very fun to read aloud. The rhyme scheme is spot on, flowing effortlessly like a song. Kids will love to quack, neigh, and beep along!

Book: Piggies / Audrey Wood

What's It About?
Hands! This simply, yet beautifully, illustrated book takes a close look at hands. There is no true plot to speak of but it's a super fun romp with a few opposites thrown in.

What Makes It Great?
This bedtime story is entirely interactive. Children can follow along using their own fingers, and while it isn't set in rhyme it has a sing-songy feel. There is a lot to stop and look at on each page, so this book is good for multiple reads. It might even become a bedtime routine.

Keep in mind, at this age babies don't have amazing attention spans, so manage your expectations before you start reading. You may have to stay on the same page for 5 minutes (and 13 read throughs) and you may not make it to the end of the book. Let your child choose the pacing by picking up on the signs they give you. Enjoy the experience. Point out different images and name them. Relate a line of the story to something you did that day. At this point, it's not so much about cover to cover reading, but about bonding and building a positive association with reading (while also building vocabulary).

What to Pack: Books

As a librarian and an avid reader, I already planned to bombard my baby with a litany of literacy boosters right away. In our household, reading is a shared value and we spend many an hour listening to a Songza 90’s music playlist while getting lost in a book or magazine. So, it neither surprised nor intimidated me to hear that the American Academy of Pediatrics is prescribing reading aloud to children from infancy. In their policy paper published in June of this year, they summarized that “[r]eading regularly with young children stimulates optimal patterns of brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships at a critical time in child development, which, in turn, builds language, literacy, and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime.”

We all want to give our children the best possible start in life and this seems to me like a fun and easy way to do it. I realize that not everyone is comfortable reading aloud to very young children as it can feel silly, especially when they’re too young to fully grasp what’s going on. Here are some tips to fit reading into your baby’s life:

·      Read aloud to your infant from whichever book you are currently reading. The sound of your voice, the varied vocabulary, and the visual appearance of you reading a book will do wonders for encouraging literacy all through life, even if it's not a children's book.

×         Choose board books for babies that are illustrated versions of songs or nursery rhymes you are already familiar with. It may feel less odd to sing a song or recite a rhyme than it feels to read a story to your very little one.

·      Take your baby to the library for baby time a few times a week. These programs are specifically tailored for babies 0-18 months, and incorporate songs, stories, and movement based on child development research. Let the librarian make a fool of herself while your baby reaps all the benefits!

·      Make up stories while you go on a walk or make up a song while you are preparing a bottle. The language benefits associated with storytelling are immense. If you don’t feel comfortable sitting down with your infant and a book (since they can’t focus like a toddler or older child) you can still talk to them constantly during the day.

Before you go out, throw a few board books into your diaper bag. They’re an easy go-to distraction for grocery store line-ups or a nice post-picnic activity to enjoy together in the shade. Send us an e-mail if you’d like a recommendation for a great book to engage your child.