Sharing books by looking and reading together with your children is a very important way of building up relationships. Children learn by imitation and practice, and if, in their early years they have not had the experience of sharing books with adults, it is never too late to start! They need your help to learn about the richness of books in a positive, playful way.

Susan Straub is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, who thinks it is very important that parents read to children. So important in fact, that she created a mother and baby reading programme, Read to me, in New York City.

I recently read an article by her [Books for Keeps No.132 Jan.2002], in which she recommended two picture books:
• The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Lawson [currently out of print, but hopefully available via public libraries
• Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, published by Walker

The Story of Ferdinand is about an independent young bull and his understanding mother who trusted and allowed her son to be himself.

The Owl Babies deal with separation anxiety that is present in many children.

Whilst Susan suggests these books for young children, it is likely that their appeal and underlying messages will be helpful to older children. As we know, adopted children may have missed out on many of the early ‘building blocks’, and it is never to late to revisit these issues.

The Department of Education website has useful information for parents helping their children to read and can be found at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/read/

You may also be interested in visiting Susan Straub web site, as she recommends various books www.readtomeprogram.org

REVIEWERS WELCOME:
If you have read a book that you would like to recommend to others, please let us know and we would welcome featuring your review.

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