Thank you to my 500th visitor!
I am thrilled to share my passion for children’s literature with you all. Reading aloud to children creates a special bond between parent and child. It’s not just about the story—it’s about the undivided attention, the shared joy, and the emotional connection that comes from cuddling up with a book. Both child and adult find delight in this shared experience.
Reading aloud isn’t about teaching or preparing kids for academic success. It’s about immersing them in the sounds, emotions, and rhythms of literature—think Mother Goose rhymes or simple poetry. These moments build a foundation of love and connection, not instruction. While early reading can give kids a head start, pushing them too soon risks tying love to performance, which can harm their self-confidence.
Once children learn to read, introduce them to great literature that sparks their imagination and touches their hearts. Avoid shallow “reading programs” that prioritize skills over substance. Good stories let kids explore others’ lives and understand their own emotions, fostering compassion and insight.
Church leaders like Harold B. Lee have emphasized the home’s role in nurturing quality family life. Reading together—whether at family home evening or dinner—cultivates love and supports emotional growth. Parents, even those with little formal education, can introduce their kids to the beauty of their native language through literature.
Here’s a curated list of children’s books to start your home library (check your local library!):
• Preschool: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
• Elementary: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, The Borrowers by Mary Norton.
• Older Children: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.
Let’s make reading a heartfelt tradition in our homes. Here’s to many more visitors and shared stories!
Shirley
P.S.”Look at the list from yesterday. How many of these books have you read?
How many of these books are on your “must-have’s” list? How about “Things My kids Must Know.” ?
Help me finish this list for my homeschooling daughter; if you believe another book should be on this list, please email me at s.m.ulbrich1@gmail.com
Shirley
© 2025, Shirley Ulbrich, S. M. Ulbrich, Pages Alight. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.
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