When you encourage your child to enjoy reading, you are giving them a present that will last a lifetime!

It is important for children to enjoy reading, and parents are the best people to help them do this. \You should start reading to your child as soon as possible to help them develop a love of reading. This will help them in school and throughout their lives.

Here are some ideas to help your child develop reading abilities from birth to age 5.

5 Tips To Help Your Child Love Reading

1.    Start by reading to your baby.

It is never too early to start reading to your child. Read for a few minutes at a time until your baby’s attention span improves. Point to the pictures and rhyme and sing the words you want them to know.

2.  As your child becomes older, one of the best ways to spend time with your toddler is to read to them.

Make storytime a regular part of your child’s routine. This can be done at bedtime or during other times of the day that fit into your daily routine.

3.   Make reading enjoyable and engaging.

Develop the ability to read in an animated manner to capture your child’s attention. This will make reading more enjoyable for both of you. One way to keep things interesting is to share thoughts about the book or come up with your own variations on it together.

 4.    Talk to your child’s preschool teacher to get feedback.

Your child’s teacher would be able to share how well your child is progressing and what level they are reading at. They can also suggest books that your child would like.

 5.    Visit your local library and bookshops.

Bring your child to the library and children’s activities at bookstores to get them interested in reading.

 My Top 5 Picks for Best Children’s Picture Books

When it comes to children’s picture books, there are so many amazing and timeless titles to choose from.

It can be hard to narrow it down to just a few, but these are some of my personal favorites that my daughter and I love.

We Are Going On A Bear Hunt

• • Author: Michael Rosen

• • Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury

• • Date Published: 1989

We Are Going On A Bear Hunt is the first book my daughter knew the words to.

Her aunt read it to her first, and by a year and a half, she could recite the verse “We are going on a bear hunt, we are going to catch a big one, what a beautiful day, we’re not scared”.

The book follows a family of four as they go on a bear hunt, encountering all sorts of obstacles along the way. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is so much fun to read aloud.

It’s perfect for little kids as the verses rhyme and there is lots of repetition.

The Gruffalo

• • Author: Julia Donaldson

• • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler

• • Date Published: 1999

The Gruffalo is another fantastic book for kids. It’s about a mouse who takes a walk through the woods and encounters all sorts of animals, including a big, scary Gruffalo.

My daughter who’s 4 years old, is still afraid every time we read this book. But she loves it nonetheless. It’s a great read for kids who love to be scared but not too scared ?

I Want My Hat Back

• • Author: Jon Klassen

• • Illustrator: Jon Klassen

• • Date Published: 2011

I Want My Hat Back is a really clever and funny book. If I had to pick my own favourite book, this would be it.

It’s about a bear who loses his hat and goes on a journey to find it, encountering all sorts of animals along the way.

My daughter loves the illustrations and the deadpan humor. This is a great book for kids who are starting to understand jokes and enjoy wordplay.

Press Here

• • Author: Hervé Tullet

• • Illustrator: Hervé Tullet

• • Date Published: 2010

Press Here is a really fun and interactive book. It’s about a yellow dot that goes on all sorts of adventures when you press the dots on the pages.

My daughter loves pressing the dots and seeing what happens next. She also loves bright and colorful illustrations.

This is a great book for kids who are just starting to learn how to read and follow simple instructions.

A Color Of His Own

• • Author: Leo Lionni

• • Illustrator: Leo Lionni

• • Date Published: 1975

A Color Of His Own is such a beautiful and clever children’s book. It’s about a chameleon who wishes he had his own color, instead of always blending in with his surroundings.

I used this book to teach my daughter about colors and to share with her how nice it is to have a friend to do things together with.

“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.”— Roald DahlTweet

What Are The Qualities Of A Best-selling Children’s Picture Book?

I sum up what these 5 children’s picture books have in common.

1. 1. They have eye-catching and vibrant illustrations. They are able to hold a child’s attention for extended periods of time.
   2. The stories are engaging and entertaining. They have a storyline that children can easily follow and enjoy.
   3. They teach children something new. Whether it’s a new word or a new way of thinking, the best children’s books are those that expand a child’s mind.
   4. They are enjoyable for both parents and children. A good children’s book is one that adults can enjoy reading aloud to their kids.
   5. They have a timeless quality. The best children’s books are those that can be read and enjoyed again and again, regardless of when they were first published.

It’s been so much fun sharing these books with my daughter and I hope you’ll get a chance to read them too. What are your favorite children’s picture books? I’m always on the lookout for new titles to add to our reading list.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexel

On a side note, if you have always wanted to write a children’s picture book. I have a few articles below to help you get started.

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