Because I Love to Read to Grandkids

Easing into the joy of being a grandmother to eight precious kids brings a renewed passion of reading books that spark a child’s imagination. Last week, I had the chance to share the book “Because I Love to READ” to our grandson who is two-years-old. He loved the illustrations from Noor Alshalabi, especially the one about exploring the ocean floor with coral reefs and a turtle.

What I enjoyed most about “Because I Love to READ” by Dr. Ranjit Joseph is that it’s based on his experiences reading to his daughters. “Creating wonder for our children isn’t just a gift for today; it’s a legacy of love. To all the parents weaving magic every day, our loving hugs, our friendly voice, our shared giggles are the magic spells that make growing up extraordinary. Let’s keep creating those enchanting moments—they’re the heartbeat of a childhood well-remembered,” said Dr. Ranjit Joseph, author of “Because I Love to READ.”

There is no doubt that reading books aloud to kids increases creativity and improved language skills. There are some important skills that children can learn when they hold a book while it’s being read to them. Those skills can include:

• How to share as you take turns pointing out the images on a page
• Developing fine motor skills needed for page-turning.
• Distinguishing between shapes, colors, and words.
• Relating how the story compares to their understanding of the world.
• Reinforcing new vocabulary words when they sound out the words with you.

Reading readiness comes at different times to different kids. Some children are ready to read by age four, others may not be ready until age six. Kids don’t have to know how to read to enjoy having books read to them. Make this a stress-free time of simply enjoying a fun book together. It’s one way to prepare them for a lifelong love of being able to read.

What books do you recommend for kids ages 2 to 9 years old?