How Personalized Books Encourage Reading, Learning, And High Self-Esteem In Children
 

By Kent Johnson

If you're like me--and a lot of other people--you have   fond memories of your first storybook. I'll never forget my sense of wonder as I explored the pages of my first children's book, with its colorful illustrations and magical storyline. All things seemed possible, as my imagination placed me inside the story, and I walked alongside the fascinating characters as they played out their wonderful adventure.

Personalized children's books give children that same sense of wonder today. A personalized book has a child's name printed right into the storyline, making the story even more real for the young reader.   And most personalized books also include the child's age, hometown, and the name of several of his or her friends or family members.

In today's media-driven society, where there are a thousand distractions vying for a child's attention, it's harder than ever to get kids to sit down and read a book. That's were personalized books can make a real difference. By seeing their own name printed in the pages of a book, a child's attention is instantly focused on the words, and the storyline. Instead of reading about someone else, the young reader is suddenly the star of the story, and reading becomes a fun and exciting adventure.

I've witnessed this effect many times as kids open up a personalized book that's been printed for them. Their eyes light up, their jaw drops open, as they see their own first and last name printed on the opening page. Suddenly that video game or television program doesn't seem so appealing, and they spend the next half hour or so reading through the book and studying each colorful illustration in turn.

Now of course not all kids will develop a sudden love of reading from just one experience like this. But it's a start. And studies have shown that kids who pick up an interest in reading early in life, go on to do better in school, have higher self esteem, and are more successful in whatever they pursue later in life. 

Unlike most toys or games, a personalized children's book won't get thrown into the closet after a few weeks of use. Kids read these books over and over, marveling at the sight of their own name and the names of their friends included in the storyline. And the full-color illustrations make the books exciting adventures for pre-schoolers as they bring these fast paced stories to life.

So consider a personalized book the next time your child or grandchild has an approaching birthday. They make great gifts, they often become treasured keepsakes as the child grows into adulthood, and if you're lucky, they'll spurn a love of reading that will last a lifetime.