The gift of reading is important to remember this holiday season, but we understand that finding the perfect book for children can be challenging.
Here at Scholastic, we believe "The Story Starts Here" when it comes to offering diverse, imaginative, and fun board books and picture books for every child - and we are here to help to help every family find the right books for every child.
We sat down with Liza Baker, Editorial Director at Scholastic, to talk about our new campaign, the importance of getting picture books into the hands of young readers and some great book tips and suggestions for your holiday gift list.
News: Check out our special "The Story Starts Here" collection!
Q: What is the “Story Starts Here” and what should people know about picture books?
"The Story Starts Here" is an exciting new campaign that focuses on our amazing list of illustrated books geared toward the youngest readers. From board books and picture books, to leveled readers and illustrated chapter books, we believe that a lifelong love of reading starts on day one. Our mission is to provide kids with creative, diverse, playful, informative, and illuminating books for every step and stage of their early reading life. For us, it's all about building an early love of books and reading -- at Scholastic we know that's where the story starts.
Q: How early should parents being reading aloud to their children?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading from birth on, which is really where our idea began. We want to remind parents and caregivers that even the youngest of children can engage with books from the very day they are born, which is why our Cartwheel line of cloth books and board books are so perfect for babies and toddlers. Even a newborn loves to cuddle close and listen to the sound of a parent or loved one read a lyrical, soothing story, and connect with the colorful illustrations.
I remember my own little ones enjoying tummy time, barely able to lift up their heads, gazing down at their illustrated books with big smiles on their faces. Books are magical and we want them to be a part of every child’s daily life at the very start.
Q: Holiday shopping is starting this week. What are some top picks you suggest for newborns/infants?
We have some really great books perfect for little ones. Peek-a-Farm by Joyce Wan is a great interactive lift-the-flap board book with Wan's signature cute and chubby animal illustrations introducing kids to all the animals on the farm -- and parents can chime in with animal sounds for a fun read aloud!
We also have an adorable Giraffes Can't Dance Book & Plush gift set that includes a board book edition of this beloved and bestselling classic book and a soft plush of the book's star Gerald the Giraffe -- so kids can play along as they read the story and even snuggle up with Gerald after story time is done.
We also have two new touch and feel books in the new Love Meez series from bestselling creator Caroline Jayne Church: I Love My Puppy and I Love My Dinosaur, both offering kids the chance to interact with each tactile page, with stories featuring adorable kids and the animals they love.
Q: What should I be looking for in the right picture book for kids? How can I tell what is the right age-range?
Picture books offer a wonderful range of content for kids -- really the sky is the limit. I always suggest flipping through the book and seeing if the length and level feel right for your child. And always look for books that will engage and ignite their imaginations --that may mean a subject they love or an art style that grabs them.
Be open and invite your kids to help you choose. There are universal books like Friendshape by Amy Krauss Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld that are just perfect for every young child, especially in the 2-5 year-old range as they are learning to identify shapes and colors and also learning how to socialize and navigate and build early friendships.
Then there are books that are really well suited to an older 4-6 year-old reader ready to sit still longer, and able to understand more intricate stories, like Zen Socks by Jon J Muth, a beautiful book that explores themes of kindness, patience, and generosity gently inspired by Zen philosophy. Or 8: An Animal Alphabet by Elisha Cooper, inspired by his own love of the number 8, that invites readers to seek and find 8 animals for each letter, all brought to life with Cooper's stunning watercolor paintings.
Remember, every child is unique, and kids can grow with books at each stage of life, so as the years pass you may find that they are able to experience and interpret the same book in exciting new ways. So I suggest circling back to books from time to time. It's fascinating to see how your child has grown and how the experience of reading a familiar book changes.
Q: As a parent, what did you learn reading aloud to your children? Any good “tricks of trade”?
I say ham it up! Kids love dramatic read-alouds, accents, and silly voices. Books like Frog on a Log by Kes Gray and Jim Field and The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton are great read-alouds. Having fun as you read keeps kids engaged, focused, and also reminds them that reading is a rich and playful experience. Also, remember to invite kids to ask questions along the way and to chime in. Kids love being part of the reading experience.
During story time I love asking questions, pointing out details in the art and asking my kids what they think will happen next. It builds excitement and also helps them begin to understand early reading comprehension -- a first step in the journey of learning to read.
Q: Any great holiday-themed books for families this season?
The holidays are such a great time to give books and build a child's library! We have some special holiday books to offer this season. The Night Before Christmas by David Ercolini offers a playful twist on the classic tale with hilarious art that will have kids giggling. And, of course, the holidays wouldn't be the same without our beloved Clifford the Big Red Dog, so be sure to pick up Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah and learn how Clifford and Elizabeth must save the town menorah.
To learn more, visit scholastic.com/storystartshere - full of the latest news and events, activities, downloadable assets, and more. (You can find all the assets on our new Pinterest board, too!) #StoryStartsHere
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