Head of the Class: READING TIPS AND NOTES

INTRODUCING BOOKS

There are numerous ways to help children enjoy books. Perhaps at the top of the list is making it fun. You can work books into your daily routine. Sometimes you don’t even have to read because talking about the pictures is enough. Be patient. Not all children love books immediately. Following are some guidelines:

6 MONTHS: Look for sturdy cardboard books for your baby to handle.

Use different voices or create funny faces to make reading exciting for your baby.

“Farm Animals,” by Phoebe Dunn

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12 MONTHS: Let your child hold the book and help you turn the pages.

Carry a book with you to keep your child busy during long waits.

“Baby’s Animal Friends,” by Phoebe Dunn

“Freight Train,” by Donald Crews

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18 MONTHS: Read your child’s favorite story many times.

Pause when reading aloud to involve your child in familiar parts of stories.

“Truck,” by Donald Crews

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2 YEARS: Choose stories with repeated words or phrases to let your child “read” along.

Let your child tell you the story or “read” it to dolls or stuffed animals.

“Guess How Much I Love You,” by Sam McBratney

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” by Eric Carle

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3 YEARS: Encourage your child to finish the end of sentences.

Let your child make up a story. You can write it down and have your child draw a picture to go with it.

“Have You Seen My Duckling?” by Nancy Tafuri

“Con Mi Hermano/With My Brother,” by Eileen Roe

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4 YEARS: Stop during reading and ask your child to guess what happens next.

Ask your child to retell a favorite story.

“Is Your Mama a Llama?” by Deborah Guarino

“The Snowy Day,” by Ezra Jack Keats

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5 YEARS: Encourage your child to “read” to you from favorite books.

Take your child to get a library card and choose books to read together.

“Leo the Late Bloomer,” by Robert Kraus

“A Pocket for Corduroy,” by Don Freeman

Sources: The Children’s Clinic; Beach Cities Reading Assn.; Reach Out and Read.

BOOK EVENTS

* Tuesday in Studio City: A bedtime story at Studio City Library for children of all ages, 4400 Babcock Ave., 6:45 p.m. (818) 769-5212.

* Tuesday in Covina: Story time at Covina Public Library will feature a reading by children’s librarian Joy Shaup. Covina Public Library, 234 N. 2nd Ave., 2:30-3 p.m. (626) 858-7296.

* Saturday in Los Angeles: Story time at Bookstar bookstore. Free refreshments will be served. Bookstar bookstore, 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., 11:30 a.m. (310) 289-1734.

* Saturday in Los Angeles: Story time with storyteller Hope Smith for children ages 3 to 8. Children’s Book World bookstore, 10580 W. Pico Blvd. 10:30 a.m. (310) 559-2665.