So why write about board books? I chose to write about board books not only because I am constantly buying and looking through board books for my 14-month-old son but also because I wanted to provide parents, grandparents, educators, and librarians with a list of early childhood literature that I think children from 0-3 will enjoy (or not enjoy) and why.
Reading aloud to children 0-3 (as well as older children) is such a wonderful bonding activity for the adult and child and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading aloud to a child from infancy significantly heightens a child's vocabulary and communication skills. Because of this push from the AAP in the past two years to read to children from birth, I believe there are more board books in bookstores than ever before. Unlike softcover or hardcover picture books, board books provide children with an added tactile experience. This allows children to not only touch and grab the book without ripping it, but also to interact with the book as they see an adult interacting with the book. If I turn a page my son wants to turn a page (something that he would not easily be able to do with a thin-page picture book).
My hope is that you will find my critiques both helpful, thought-provoking, and memorable.
Thank you for following me and I look forward to reading your comments.
