A Frog, a Toad, an Owl, and You

Hello Readers!

Thanks for checking out my very first post! Let's jump right in, shall we?

When we talk about literacy in terms of young children, we are really referring to the very special shared experience that is a parent reading to his or her little ones. Reading should be enjoyed together, out loud, even after children are of the age to read to themselves. Sometimes there's no better conversation starter than a great story!  

That being said, there are certainly some books, that, in my humble opinion, one should read in lieu others.  Some parents are instinctively drawn to those books that teach lessons: go to bed on time and STAY THERE, to listen to your parents, eat your vegetables, have good manners, be kind at recess...wait....excuse me while I yawn dramatically.....okay. Look, it's understandable that as parents, we want our kids to learn to conduct themselves, day by day, less like wild savages, and more like those darling figurines on display at the greeting card store. Well, that day probably won't come any sooner just because you read your child a bedtime story about Brussels sprouts.  

The best thing we can do for our children is to let them know that they are okay just as they are; be they wild, unruly, and embarrassingly without filter or volume button (especially in elevators). Most importantly, our children are uniquely ours. A good children's book does not hit a child over the head with a moral lesson, but instead, introduces imperfect characters (Max, Where the Wild Things Are, Big Anthony, Strega Nona) making entertaining mistakes that children can relate to. This helps children see that it's perfectly acceptable to be imperfect.

That brings me to my favorite children's author of them all. If you haven't already, dear parents, reach for any book by Arnold Lobel. My personal favorite is Owl at Home, but of course all of the Frog and Toad books are delightful as well. Lobel's characters are childlike and endearing, and their adventures are crisp and original as they discover their world.  The thing to remember about this teaching-our-kids-a-lesson bit, is that sometimes, once they begin to see themselves--their fears, mistakes, and impulsivity--reflected in a good book, they can accept themselves, and begin to carve out the space to grow.