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Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help. WETA, Washington DC’s PBS Station, has worked with the U.S. Department of Education to help parents, caregivers, and teachers help children learn to read and love to read.
They’ve created a holiday gift guide with lots of great suggestions of books for kids from toddler to age 9. If you want some ideas for holiday presents that will never require batteries these choices are a wonderful place to begin. Having some reading choices that are funny and exciting and inspiring, books you can read together or let them master on their own, is a good way to make them want to be lifetime learners. And don’t forget that nothing will convey the importance (and pleasure) of reading as much as seeing you enjoying a book or magazine, so be sure to set a good example.
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posted November 29, 2008 at 2:23 pm
As a lifelong beneficiary of books from siblings and mom, I have continued that tradition. I believe books are the best gifts of all. It is simply a matter of matching the book to the reader. This means it is not as simple as buying a case of something and handing one to everyone you know. It does mean knowing the person and the book well enough to recognize a fit of some sort. Books for kids are the best things imaginable (except maybe a box of LEGOs). This is a gift of heart, mind, and spirit – a gift that says this touched me and I hope/think it will touch you too.
Read read read read read
posted November 29, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I may be the Movie Mom, jestrfyl, but even I know that books come first. I always give books as gifts, and to this day my favorite gifts are books. And books are the one thing I buy a little recklessly for myself. I’m very proud of my children for being excellent readers. My son’s plane was delayed on Thanksgiving and he left me a voicemail: “I’m coming in a few hours late, but don’t worry about me — I have books!”
posted December 1, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hi Nell,
Thanks for reminding your readers that books really are one of the very best gifts, any time of year. Children treasure the stories and the time spent reading together as a family. I still vividly remember the Christmas when I was 10 years old and my parents gave me beautiful editions of The Phantom Tollbooth and The Wind in the Willows (with those wonderful watercolor illustrations). My own children are now grown, but books are still at the top of their gift wish lists — birthdays, too.
Books can be expensive, especially for families on a very limited budget. Reading Rockets has an excellent article on sources for free or low-cost books: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/57
Parents may also be interested in this article on creating a home library for your child: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/26730
Wishing all your readers a joyful holiday season!
Tina Chovanec
Director, Reading Rockets