I was reading an interesting article in The Horn Book Magazine (September/October 2010) called "Reading on the Spectrum" by Ashley Waring (you can read the piece here). In it, Ashley talks about finding books to share with her son. This is a common issue with many parents--wanting to find books with which their child can find a deep connection. Ashley's son has autism, so finding books that he is interested in is especially challenging. Ashley used his specific interests in letters, numbers, and music to get him involved in books. After he had spent enough time looking at the parts of the book that really interested him (like the letter 0) he started interacting more with the story and forging new connections. For him, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is 'THE' book.
Finding 'THE' book is different for everyone, both in what it means and at what stage of li
fe it's found. Though Ashley found Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, she's not going to stop trying different books and looking to make new connections. And you shouldn't stop trying either! Maybe your child "doesn't like to read" because they haven't found THE book. One of our librarians, Courtney, was older when she read Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach and that book opened up a new world for her. After that, she devoured nonfiction about Shakespeare and English nobility. Each child can have that type of success with reading, it is just a matter of finding the right book.
fe it's found. Though Ashley found Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, she's not going to stop trying different books and looking to make new connections. And you shouldn't stop trying either! Maybe your child "doesn't like to read" because they haven't found THE book. One of our librarians, Courtney, was older when she read Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach and that book opened up a new world for her. After that, she devoured nonfiction about Shakespeare and English nobility. Each child can have that type of success with reading, it is just a matter of finding the right book.Parents, if you have had success, please leave a comment and share your story. If you're looking for a book for your child, don't forget to stop by the Youth Services Desk on the 2nd floor. We want to help you find books for your child that will excite them and turn them into lifelong readers.
My son loves letters and numbers, as well, and he usually chooses counting books to read, but they don't really help him wind down at bedtime. Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang turned out to be THE bedtime book for my son. It is short and sweet, with lovely pictures and a soothing rhythm, but it still has the numbers he loves on each page.
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