Read to Grow - Good reads for Tiny Tots Part II

Children are angels from Heaven sent to love you, bless you and try your patience – all at the same time! The greatest of your blessings, they can be the best stress busters as well as the most stress creators in your home. Whether trouble makers or quiet little sweethearts though, each child is unique and grows in his/her own special way. As parents it is our duty to provide them with the best possible environment and atmosphere to grow and enable them to take on the world when the time comes.
Responsible parents prefer scientific and proven methods to make all the best possible things available for their children. Accordingly, they are aware, and even research shows, that most brain development happens up to the age of six; and it is important to introduce your child to many different and new things at a young age. It is also ideal to introduce your child to the magical world of books at a young age, if you haven't already......
Reading has its own advantages and among other things, is known to improve analytic thinking skills and make children more empathetic and sensitive towards other people. Ages 3-5, therefore, are the ideal ages to introduce children to the classics as well as educational books.Depending on the interest and preference of your child, you can introduce them to bestselling children's book series such as the Geronimo Stilton Series or the Thea Stilton Series  for that matter; or you could go with the time tested classics. The best is, if you could go with a mixed bag of the classics as well as the popular.
Some of the classic children's books by Enid Blyton such as the Mr.Twiddle series or the stories of Mr. Pink-Whistle and Mr. Meddle are excellent and humourous enough to keep their attention riveted. The books in the Dr. Seuss series are also much loved for their ability to introduce children to a variety of new concepts through their rhyme and humour. 

Let us now see a few of the classics and the most popular in this age group.

Ages 3-5 are excellent ages to introduce children to the old classics. Most children in India get to hear and read the stories of naughty Krishna in his childhood and the Princes in Mahabharata. You could also introduce them to these amazing stories through a series of illustrated books that are easy to understand and relate to and are a storehouse of values that help introduce rules of good behaviour and good thoughts to children. The Amar Chitra Katha  books can be great for this. 

3-5 is also a good age to introduce children to the Disney classics that have been favourites of so many generations! Rapunzel, Dumbo, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast - stories that are bound to take you and your kids into a world of fantasy and stretch the children's imagination to new levels. These stories introduce young children to the world of emotions, feelings, dreams and through an engaging story pass on the message that this world of dreams is yours to to conquer, if only you are willing to dare! 

Apart from the classics, there are also several other books that have been entertaining children for ages. Enid Blyton has been one of the most favoured children's authors of all times! Many of her books such as the Wishing Chair series and The Wonderful Teddy Bear and other stories feature pixies and fairies and goblins and giants - stuff little minds just cant get enough of!

There are also other books that have been preferred by children over the years. The Little Golden Books  collection is one of these. There are also age - appropriate Dr. Seuss books that attempt to teach children about a lot of things while making them laugh out loud!

In addition, there are several other books like Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers which is an enchanting story of the friendship between a penguin and a boy;and some more that are listed below  

1) Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

2) The timeless and classic stories of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne 

3) The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

4) The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

5) The Rainbow Fish by Markus Pfister

6) I want my potty by Tony Ross

7) The Tiger who came to tea by Judith Kerr

8) The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

9) If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Numeroff, Laura Joffe

10) Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barret

These are only a few suggestions. You are free to read anything to your kids that is a favourtie with them. There is no hard and fast rule. Some children may be ready for books more suited for older children; while some may still like their board books. (A secret: board books stay a favourite with your children long after they are 6 or 7 years old too sometimes)

So, basically, anything works, so long as your child enjoys the book and you get to cuddle with her and have some lovely time together! 

Happy reading!!