Reading is Fundamental

123s My 1-year old son, X, has a board book that he loves and I’m beginning to hate. It’s called 123s by Sia Aryai. Here is the entire text:

1 – One Slide
2 – Two Wagons
3 – Three Buckets
4 – Four Carriages
5 – Five Dolls
6 – Six Blocks
7 – Seven Hats
8 – Eight Kinds of Fruit
9 – Nine Balls
10 – Ten Teddy Bears

Each page has a picture of a toddler playing with the various objects. X simply cannot get enough of this book. He wants me to read it over and over and over. He even chases me around the house if I try to flee when I see him retrieve the book. He even finds it when I attempt to hide it.

I shouldn’t be surprised that he adores this book. Both of his siblings did. After seven years of constant reading, the poor book is in a sad state. The spine is broken, the edges are frayed, and the pages display various things we have eaten or drank over the years.

I’m happy that my children love reading. When I ask my daughter, Nee, “What do you want to do with Daddy that’s fun?” Her response is always, “Go to Barnes & Noble!” She is a strong reader and has developed into a really good writer.

My son, N, is currently enrolled in Head Start to Reading, a class that teaches Pre-K children how to read using sight words. After each session, he can’t wait for me to return from work. “Daddy, Daddy!,” he screams. “I can read another sentence.” Since he likes superheroes, I ply him with comic books to stoke his passion for reading.

Every night before bed, the kids and I gather in N’s bedroom and transport ourselves to the streets of Paris in the pages of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. This 526-page book is told in both words and pictures. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not exactly a novel, and it’s not quite a picture book, and it’s not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things. Each picture (there are nearly three hundred pages of pictures!) takes up an entire double page spread, and the story moves forward because you turn the pages to see the next moment unfold in front of you.

In this age of Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation, I’m happy that my children would rather read a book than play a video game. Now, if I could just find another book that X likes, I’ll be a happy man. Looks like it’s time for a trip to Barnes & Noble.

Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad

Question: Do your kids have a book that they cannot get enough of?

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tagged as: Barnes & Noble, book, headstart to reading, reading, Sia Aryai, The Invention of Hugo Cabret

http://lifeofanewdad.blogspot.com Otter

I agree that reading is wonderful for children. You are going to have some smart kids on your hands.
http://lifeofanewdad.blogspot.com Otter

I agree that reading is wonderful for children. You are going to have some smart kids on your hands.
http://www.greendadsblog.com Steven @ Green Dads

Right now my son loves the Magic Tree House series of chapter books.
http://www.greendadsblog.com Steven @ Green Dads

Right now my son loves the Magic Tree House series of chapter books.
Jason

Awesome, My youngest is really into a counting book as well that sounds to be just as interesting as yours LOL. My oldest is really into Junie B Jones, which can be pretty funny from time to time.
Jason

Awesome, My youngest is really into a counting book as well that sounds to be just as interesting as yours LOL. My oldest is really into Junie B Jones, which can be pretty funny from time to time.
http://www.realmendriveminivans.com PJ Mullen

That is great that your children love to read so much. I read to my 11 month old every day in hopes that I can get him to love reading as he grows. He seems to like whenever I read him “Hop on Pop”.
http://www.realmendriveminivans.com PJ Mullen

That is great that your children love to read so much. I read to my 11 month old every day in hopes that I can get him to love reading as he grows. He seems to like whenever I read him “Hop on Pop”.
http://www.mamalaw.blogspot.com Justice Jonesie

I’m glad I’m not the only one hiding books from my kids That’s great, these days it’s hard to have kids enjoy the “simple” things we used to as kids, like reading.
http://www.mamalaw.blogspot.com Justice Jonesie

I’m glad I’m not the only one hiding books from my kids That’s great, these days it’s hard to have kids enjoy the “simple” things we used to as kids, like reading.
http://alookontherandomside.blogspot.com *Isabella*

My 11 month old loves a particular lift-the-flap book – I think it’s called “Where is baby?” (obviously a peek-a-boo book). She’ll turn each page and lift the flaps over and over and over…and knows to look in the mirror on the last page to see herself.
http://alookontherandomside.blogspot.com *Isabella*

My 11 month old loves a particular lift-the-flap book – I think it’s called “Where is baby?” (obviously a peek-a-boo book). She’ll turn each page and lift the flaps over and over and over…and knows to look in the mirror on the last page to see herself.
http://milehighdad.com MileHighDad

But I do not like green eggs and ham, Sam I am! A day doesn’t pass that I don’t read the Dr’s fine tongue twisters! Said the Big Dog to the Little Dog!
http://milehighdad.com MileHighDad

But I do not like green eggs and ham, Sam I am! A day doesn’t pass that I don’t read the Dr’s fine tongue twisters! Said the Big Dog to the Little Dog!
http://ciarasramblingsandwhatnot.com ciara

i laughed when you mentioned running away when you see him coming w the book lol it’s great that your kids love to read. it stimulates their mind, imagination, and it is a good alternative to those video games. we have the video games, but i’m lucky that my girls would rather read, draw, write, etc., more than video games. can’t say that about my stepson though lol he hates to read, like his dad :-/
http://ciarasramblingsandwhatnot.com ciara

i laughed when you mentioned running away when you see him coming w the book lol it’s great that your kids love to read. it stimulates their mind, imagination, and it is a good alternative to those video games. we have the video games, but i’m lucky that my girls would rather read, draw, write, etc., more than video games. can’t say that about my stepson though lol he hates to read, like his dad :-/
http://www.halfpastkissintime.com Mrs.4444

Such a gift; the love of reading! My kids are both avid readers. When they were your kids’ ages, we loved to read Doggies, by Sandra Boynton. It is very fun to read if you use expression, making the ten different dog growls, barks, whines, etc. There’s nothing like bonding over a book….your kids will have these memories for their lifetimes…and they will pass the gift on to their own children.
http://www.halfpastkissintime.com Mrs.4444

Such a gift; the love of reading! My kids are both avid readers. When they were your kids’ ages, we loved to read Doggies, by Sandra Boynton. It is very fun to read if you use expression, making the ten different dog growls, barks, whines, etc. There’s nothing like bonding over a book….your kids will have these memories for their lifetimes…and they will pass the gift on to their own children.
http://the21stcenturyman.com the21stcenturyman

So great that you are reading to your kids everyday! Keep going with the chapter books. My kids liked things like “Good Night Moon” that were torture to read after hundreds of times, but I also read them chapter books and I still do. As a result, at 9 and 12 they are both avid readers. My 12 year old always has a book with her and now wants to be a writer. They ask to go to Barnes and Noble every weekend.
http://the21stcenturyman.com the21stcenturyman

So great that you are reading to your kids everyday! Keep going with the chapter books. My kids liked things like “Good Night Moon” that were torture to read after hundreds of times, but I also read them chapter books and I still do. As a result, at 9 and 12 they are both avid readers. My 12 year old always has a book with her and now wants to be a writer. They ask to go to Barnes and Noble every weekend.
http://daddyfiles.com/mybloghtm Daddy Files

My son loves books too…for breakfast!

So far his favorite is the little book with lots of different textures, all of which he attempts to eat. I try reading to him but he’d rather walk around and get into trouble. I have a whole collection of Hardy Boys books just waiting for him when he’s ready though. Great post!
http://daddyfiles.com/mybloghtm Daddy Files

My son loves books too…for breakfast!

So far his favorite is the little book with lots of different textures, all of which he attempts to eat. I try reading to him but he’d rather walk around and get into trouble. I have a whole collection of Hardy Boys books just waiting for him when he’s ready though. Great post!
http://worldofweasels.blogspot.com WeaselMomma

Books like this cause adults to lose IQ points after the first 500 readings. This is a know fact (that I made up).
http://worldofweasels.blogspot.com WeaselMomma

Books like this cause adults to lose IQ points after the first 500 readings. This is a know fact (that I made up).
http://www.momfiles.com Sheliza

My daughters love to read and I am hoping the same for my about to be 1 year old son. He’s starting to show signs of enjoyment when there are rhyming words (I get a big smile). I agree, in this age of video games it is great that kids can love to read instead. I guess I would not know because we don’t own any gaming devices (poor kids). Great post!
http://www.momfiles.com Sheliza

My daughters love to read and I am hoping the same for my about to be 1 year old son. He’s starting to show signs of enjoyment when there are rhyming words (I get a big smile). I agree, in this age of video games it is great that kids can love to read instead. I guess I would not know because we don’t own any gaming devices (poor kids). Great post!
http://www.usdjva.com Nehesi

Goodnight Moon was a big winner in our household. We also have culturally relevant books like Happy To Be Nappy and a book I picked up in Jamaica called “Coconut Mon” which I, of course, read in a Ja-fakin accent
http://www.usdjva.com Nehesi

Goodnight Moon was a big winner in our household. We also have culturally relevant books like Happy To Be Nappy and a book I picked up in Jamaica called “Coconut Mon” which I, of course, read in a Ja-fakin accent
http://www.usdjva.com Nehesi

I forgot to mention my Daughter is now 5 and she prefers more complex stories, especially the original Winnie The Pooh stories. Those stories are loooooooong! I do my best to do the voices.
http://www.usdjva.com Nehesi

I forgot to mention my Daughter is now 5 and she prefers more complex stories, especially the original Winnie The Pooh stories. Those stories are loooooooong! I do my best to do the voices.
http://howefitz.com/blog Justin Howe

I too, like to instill a love of reading in to my kids. My two year old enjoys the different counting books, etc. But she also enjoys getting new books from the library or the bookstore. A lot of times when I ask her what she wants to do she says ‘Book!’, which means library. Good luck with the new book selection for the one year old! Since it sounds like you have comics in the house, there are a lot of Spider-Man board books out there right now, maybe you can entice the little one to be like his big brother!
http://howefitz.com/blog Justin Howe

I too, like to instill a love of reading in to my kids. My two year old enjoys the different counting books, etc. But she also enjoys getting new books from the library or the bookstore. A lot of times when I ask her what she wants to do she says ‘Book!’, which means library. Good luck with the new book selection for the one year old! Since it sounds like you have comics in the house, there are a lot of Spider-Man board books out there right now, maybe you can entice the little one to be like his big brother!
http://www.jmjfitness.com JMJ

I can’t get my 1 yr old to sit still for more than 30 sec’s. So we haven’t been able to do much reading. For educational purposes-I just try and describe everything he sees and touches as I’m chasing him around the house.
http://www.jmjfitness.com JMJ

I can’t get my 1 yr old to sit still for more than 30 sec’s. So we haven’t been able to do much reading. For educational purposes-I just try and describe everything he sees and touches as I’m chasing him around the house.
http://www.mommyscribe.com amy

I hear you screamin’!!! I know I shouldn’t complain about my kids love of books, but seriously, my two year old will throw (something he learned at daycare) books at your head if you don’t read to him. He would be happy to read 8 out of 10 hours a day and the only word he says more than “booooook” is “maamaa”. At one, mine really got into Brown Bear and The Hungry Caterpillar. The Caterpillar book isn’t quite as mind-numbing as Brown Bear… LOL

amy @ http://www.mommyscribe.com
http://www.mommyscribe.com amy

I hear you screamin’!!! I know I shouldn’t complain about my kids love of books, but seriously, my two year old will throw (something he learned at daycare) books at your head if you don’t read to him. He would be happy to read 8 out of 10 hours a day and the only word he says more than “booooook” is “maamaa”. At one, mine really got into Brown Bear and The Hungry Caterpillar. The Caterpillar book isn’t quite as mind-numbing as Brown Bear… LOL

amy @ http://www.mommyscribe.com
http://www.lovetospare.com Michael – Love to Spare

Hey Mocha Dad,

Your children are fortunate to have a father who reads to them (even when their choice of books drives him crazy). Now that’s dedication! All children should be so lucky.

This is my first time here – looks like you have a great blog. I will definitely be checking it out.

Thanks for the post!
http://www.lovetospare.com Michael – Love to Spare

Hey Mocha Dad,

Your children are fortunate to have a father who reads to them (even when their choice of books drives him crazy). Now that’s dedication! All children should be so lucky.

This is my first time here – looks like you have a great blog. I will definitely be checking it out.

Thanks for the post!
Acooba

Your post made me smile…I remember “reading” the favorite bed time stories in the dark completely from memory. Some of our favorites: The Giving Tree, Under The Moon, The Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton), and The Two Princesses of Bamarre. Reading together is such a magical experience…although the children are all avid readers, we continued the tradition of bedtime stories until they were around 11 or 12. Even now, when I read to our 8 year old at night, the older ones (19, 17, 15) are VERY QUIET, and I enjoy thinking that they are listening in. Today we talked about trying to carve out an hour each week to read together as a family a book that we’re all interested in, such as Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Although it was tiresome reading the same books over and over again, now that those days are gone it’s difficult keeping them supplied with books. Thank God for the library! You’re making a great investment in your children that will pay lifelong dividends. Thanks for sharing!
Acooba

Your post made me smile…I remember “reading” the favorite bed time stories in the dark completely from memory. Some of our favorites: The Giving Tree, Under The Moon, The Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton), and The Two Princesses of Bamarre. Reading together is such a magical experience…although the children are all avid readers, we continued the tradition of bedtime stories until they were around 11 or 12. Even now, when I read to our 8 year old at night, the older ones (19, 17, 15) are VERY QUIET, and I enjoy thinking that they are listening in. Today we talked about trying to carve out an hour each week to read together as a family a book that we’re all interested in, such as Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Although it was tiresome reading the same books over and over again, now that those days are gone it’s difficult keeping them supplied with books. Thank God for the library! You’re making a great investment in your children that will pay lifelong dividends. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.askwifey.blogspot.com Wifey

Too funny! My kids can wear some books out, too! They both enjoy reading, but my son likes to write and create stories, too. I wonder where he gets that from …

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
http://www.askwifey.blogspot.com Wifey

Too funny! My kids can wear some books out, too! They both enjoy reading, but my son likes to write and create stories, too. I wonder where he gets that from …

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
Kay Em

It’s even worse when the kids get older. Mocha Dad has gotten caught more than once by Nee trying to leave out paragraphs (sometimes entire pages) on the longer stories.
Kay Em

It’s even worse when the kids get older. Mocha Dad has gotten caught more than once by Nee trying to leave out paragraphs (sometimes entire pages) on the longer stories.
http://www.cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com Renée aka Mekhismom

I think it is so important to instill a love of reading in children at an early age. Kudos to you for doing this with your children.
http://www.cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com Renée aka Mekhismom

I think it is so important to instill a love of reading in children at an early age. Kudos to you for doing this with your children.
http://ebonymommy.com/blog/ Yolanda

My children love to read and with a mother who is a certified book addict we spend plenty of time in half price books and the library. This is a wonderful blog that always examines great books: http://www.thepoweroftwo.typepad.com/ I also enjoy The Brown Bookshelf. Wonderful post- looking forward to hearing about X’s new favorite book!
http://ebonymommy.com/blog/ Yolanda

My children love to read and with a mother who is a certified book addict we spend plenty of time in half price books and the library. This is a wonderful blog that always examines great books: http://www.thepoweroftwo.typepad.com/ I also enjoy The Brown Bookshelf. Wonderful post- looking forward to hearing about X’s new favorite book!