Books to Cut Their Teeth On

I ended that title with a preposition but it sounds stilted to say, “Books on which to cut their teeth.” Don’t you think? Anyway, sometimes what with all the iPads and tablets and laptops, I fear for the good, old-fashioned book, especially children’s books. That is, I fear until I go into a library or a book store. They are always busy with book-loving people of all ages. And I know the written word is alive and well.

I began reading to Matt long before he was six months old. In fact, I could hardly wait to read those words I loved. I wanted him to love them too. It must have worked because he has always been a reader. Their parents and I read to my grandchildren and books are a big part of their world too. Their bookshelves are full of them.

It seems to me a book is one of the best shower gifts for a newborn. What better start to a bright future than to introduce him to the amazing world of reading?

When I was a youngster, I loved the Thornton W. Burgess books http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Thornton+W.+Burgess. I think it was largely because of them that I developed a love of animals.

And, the Little Golden Books! They offer short, attractive stories and illustrations on just about any subject in the world. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&fieldkeywords=The+Little+Golden+Books&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AThe+Little+Golden+Books

Kindergarteners favored the Frog and Toad series. So did I. They are gentle stories of two friends who try to be polite but get into difficulties anyway. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Frog+and+Toad&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AFrog+and+Toad

There’s The Berenstain Bears http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+berenstain+bears with all their many antics but which teach a subtle lesson.

And who could forget Mercer Mayer? http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Mercer+Mayer

The really neat thing is these books are still available, still appealing, still loved by children and adults even in this day of advanced technology.

So, the next time you receive an invitation to a baby shower, don’t agonize on what to buy. The answer is simple. Take that little fellow or girl a gift of reading. It might be just the thing for the parents too!