Children's Literature - Exciting Reading For Kids and Adults Alike!

                        by Kent Johnson
 

Children's books and children's literature don't have to be dull exercises in learning. Most adults can remember reading books in school that were less than thrilling, and unfortunately, many children--and adults, for that matter--come to think of books and literature as something to dread, like a trip to the dentist's office.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Good children's books are written to appeal to kids, and keep their minds and imaginations occupied. And literature is full of children's books that appeal to adults as well - Huckleberry Finn and Alice in Wonderland being just two examples.

A well-written children's book is crafted to keep a child's attention, and be fast-paced and full of adventure. Authors of these books know that today's kids often have short attention spans, and so they tend to write stories that will hold their young readers focus with lots of action verbs, colorful characters, and illustrations that enhance the lightening-fast storyline.

And in addition to being good entertainment, children's books are great educational tools as well.  Many studies have shown that children who read frequently have better writing and reading skills than those who do not, and kids who have children's books at home tend to learn to read earlier.  Reading to your child or grandchild aloud is also important. Kids who were read to from an early age tend to have better reading and vocabulary skills, and become better learners when they enter the school system.

And there's another benefit to early reading as well. As they follow the exploits of characters in children's books, kids learn how to deal with various situations that they might encounter in their own lives. Watching how a storybook character solves a riddle or mystery can trigger a similar thought process in your child. Or seeing how a book character handles conflicts or disagreements can give your child ideas on how to solve similar situations in their own lives.

Rather than reading about history or science in a dry textbook, the same material comes alive when played out on the pages of a children's book. Your child becomes part of the action, and can imagine themselves taking part in events that have shaped the world around them.

When choosing children's books, look for titles that will interest them and keep their attention. If you're not sure about what to buy, consult a professional for help. Librarians and teachers know which books are well-written and popular and can steer you towards the best choices.

There are literally thousands of good titles to choose from. When narrowing down your list, think about topics that interest your child or grandchild, such as music, fairy tales, super-heros in the comics or movies, or sports. And you can't go wrong with the classics like Three Little Pigs or Teddy Bear Land.

Whatever your choice, just remember that by giving a children's book, you'll be giving the gift of reading as well.