How to win your little reading buddy back!
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I might have a bit of a board book obsession…
What’s not to love? They are fun sized, super sturdy, and available for just about any topic!
(Someday, I’m going to offer my original books in baby-accessible board book format. Watch for it!)
But, since my youngest is two years old and becoming more and more interested in the standard picture books her older siblings love, my collection seemed excessive.
I mean, I had over 60 on a dedicated shelf! I told you I’m obsessed!
So, I tackled the difficult task of determining which to toss and which to keep in an extremely heart-wrenching process.
After all, my babies and I read these together! And, reading to your babies can be so incredibly sweet! Not to mention that reading with your baby/toddler sets the stage for a life-long love of reading in your little one!
My oldest two babies adored reading with me! They’d bring their delicious, chubby little bodies to me, clasping a book in their sweet, pudgy hands and plop down on my lap for a reading sesh. Absolute heaven!
It really went like clockwork with my two oldest. We voraciously read board books, and shifted seamlessly into picture books. Perfection!
Enter baby #3. My first girl, and an absolute firecracker from the beginning. She was the most darling and sweet little lady, but dang! She didn’t give a hoot about reading!
She was an avid fan of snuggling, but if I pulled out a board book, her eyes would glaze over. As soon as she became mobile, my sweet little squish would squirm away at her first chance if she even smelled a book.
Did this break my heart? Yes.
Did this make me worry, and give me nightmares about someday having a deliberately illiterate daughter? Also yes. Big-time yes!
How could MY CHILD not like reading?!
Knowing that exposure to reading was still important for her, I resolved to take a different path to success.
I read aloud over her cacophonous playing, often inadvertently drawing her two older brothers to my sides, but not piquing her interest at all.
I tried desperately to lure her to story time by animatedly showing the pictures from across the room with forced enthusiasm. This earned me looks of scorn or pity from my little princess, but did not avail me a reading buddy.
I needed a way to snag her attention organically!
That’s when I stumbled on the solution. I happened to grab the perfect, irresistible, engaging board book.
As soon as I started reading it, her eyes moved to where I was, and by the end she had drifted to me, looking over my shoulder. As I closed the book, she stunned me by sitting down and gesturing for me to start reading it again! Success!
Through trial and error, I found the all-stars. These are the Top 5, creme de la creme, that survived my board book purge, and they are the perfect books to try if you, too, have a toddler who thinks reading time is a snooze.
Which book will you try with your toddler first?
1.
Blue Hat, Green Hat (The Oops Book) by Sandra Boyton. Ah, Sandra B. I could write an entire post just about her board book genius! In fact, you can expect one coming soon!
Her books are truly a delight to read, and this particular title is the magic book that turned things around for my daughter and I! Follow the silliest turkey ever as he gets dressed wrong on every single try (oops!).
A hilarious surprise is waiting for you at the end. It makes us laugh every time!
2.
Crocopototamus by Mary Murphy. This book is an absolute party!
This perfect first mix and match book has half of an animal and half of their name on each page. So as you flip to different combinations, hilarious images and names ensue.
Pro tip: Use a shocked voice to read the names and it will be a total hit! Speluncky?!
3.
Almost Everybody Farts by Marty Kelley.
Obviously, potty humor is going to be hilarious to your toddler, but this book takes an impolite topic and gives it the prestige of perfectly crafted rhymes, hilarious illustrations, and a running joke with a satisfying ending.
Bonus points if you blow a raspberry every time you read the word “fart”
4.
The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen.
The repetitive structure of this adorable tale really draws toddlers in!
I love to give my little audience a big smooch at the end!
5.
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? By Dr. Suess.
This book is a beloved classic for a reason! Go all in on the sounds, and your little won’t be able to resist joining in, ultimately succumbing to the pictures as well.
I am so excited to find the two I haven’t read!! That’s a great list!