Parents' blog
What do Bookstart parents have to say? Find out more and add your comments.
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Recommended books for June
Posted Friday June 19th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
Our Booktrust Children's Books sister site has announced its recommended books for June, which include Smile and The Big Night Night Book, two books that be enjoyed by Bookstart children. Click here to read about all the recommended children's books for June and find something new to read tonight at bedtime!
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Why books are brilliant for your baby part 2
Posted Wednesday June 17th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
So if you didn’t get a chance to catch up with the blog last week, you may have missed the fact that I’ve started a mini-series of posts about why and how books are great for your baby. Take a look at the first one here- it’s all about the kinds of book that your little one will appreciate most.
Now I’m going to look at some of the benefits of books for your baby.
The biggest and most obvious benefit to reading together is that it teaches an infant all about language. Before they even ever start to babble, babies are learning about words – spoken and on the page – and it all helps to improve their ability to speak and understand the printed word. Scientists also say that it makes a difference to overall intelligence too, so reading can count for an awful lot.
But how can this be so? Well, think of your little one as a sponge. They are natural born learners and are constantly absorbing new information. When you read together, they are watching you turn a page. They are noticing you read the words from left to right. And the reinforcing of…
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Announcing the Children's Laureate 2009-2011, Anthony Browne
Posted Friday June 12th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
Anthony Browne, internationally acclaimed, award-winning author and illustrator was announced as the Children’s Laureate for 2009-11 at a ceremony at Centre Point, London, on 9 June.
Accepting his medal from Andrew Motion, chair of the selection panel, Anthony said:
'It's an honour to be the Children's Laureate for 2009-11. I'm well aware of the amazing things achieved by the five previous Laureates, and I'm in awe of their commitment and hard work.
'Picture books are special – they're not like anything else. Sometimes I hear parents encouraging their children to read what they call proper books (books without pictures), at an earlier and earlier age. This makes me sad, as picture books are perfect for sharing, and not just with the youngest children. As a father, I understand the importance of the bond that develops through reading picture books with your child.
'We have in Britain some of the best picture book makers in the world, and I want to see their books appreciated for what they are – works of art.'
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Why books are brilliant for your baby: part 1
Posted Wednesday June 10th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
This is the first in a series of posts for mums, dads and carers of very little ones. It’s for you if you’ve found your way here because your baby has received their Bookstart books, if you’re interested in giving your child the best reading start, if you’re not sure how or why a baby can benefit from books, or even if you’ve found some other route here.
Trust us, books are brilliant for babies. And I’ll explain more in the posts to come. But for now, why not try it for yourself? You’re sure to be able to find a book that’s perfect for your little one, no matter how old they are.
Very basic books with high-contrast pictures work best for new babies. There are lots out there on the market – Milo loved his First Cot Book (published by Ladybird), for example. When we held it about a foot away from him, he was fascinated by the bold patterns, shapes and black, white and yellow colour scheme. And he moved on to a book of black and white art as seen here.
If your little one is a touch older, why not try something that…
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Interview with Nihal Arthanayake
Posted Wednesday June 10th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
DJ, broadcaster and journalist Nihal Arthanayake is not only a master of all trades, presenting programmes on Channel 4 and BBC2, on the radio and deejaying all over the world from Australia to India to Kenya to every major festival going in the UK, he's also a Bookstart Dad. Not only all that (if that wasn't already enough) Nihal is a Bookstart Dad who recognises the importance of reading to your child. Having a young son, he ensures he spends time with him and reads to him as part of his development and to inspire a lifelong love of books. Here at Bookstart, we couldn't think of anyone in the public eye who embodies our core message as much as Nihal so contacted him for an interview, which he kindly granted us (no mean feat with the sheer amount of work he does).
>Do you read to your baby?
Yes. Because I want my son to love books and not see them as vehicles of rote learning but as sources of wonderment and joy. I want him to feel the physicality of holding a book, of turning it's pages and on each page seeing new images that fly out of…
