One of the joys of childhood was having my parents read a bedtime story but with today’s harried pace that seems to be a luxury that not all parents can afford. A publisher has capitalized on this and offers 3-minute and 5-minute stories, presumably to satisfy the child’s desire to be read to without the time pressure of reading an entire book.
Does it really take that long to read the entire Cat in the Hat or to page through the delightful illustrations of Richard Scarry? There is something rich and memorable about the children’s literature classics that undoubtedly are lost in the condensed, ordinary stories featured in the short versions.
Instilling a love of reading opens up entire worlds for children. Don’t skimp on the extra few minutes it will take to introduce rich characters and gorgeous illustrations. Children’s books are one place where it warrants going for quality and leaving the generic behind.
I still read a book to my kids – 12 and 14 – every night
One of my greatest joys during the day is reading to my three year old son. I then encourage him to read to me the same book. It is awesome to see how much he retains and the words he recognizes. There is always time to read.