Every year people around the world celebrate early literacy on March 19th, International Read to Me Day. This holiday encourages adults to read to the children in their lives, and encourages children to talk about their own literacy.
Reading to children encourages early literacy skills, which has been shown to ease the transition from active listener to independent reader.
Other benefits of reading to children include:
- Teaching children about the world around them
- Improve language and vocabulary skills
- Develop imagination
- Develop empathy
- Quality time spent with loved ones
The best way to celebrate this holiday is to pick up a book and start reading to a child you know.
Cape Girardeau Public Library has a large selection of children’s books to choose from. Here are some suggestions for classic children’s stories:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A gentle bedtime story in which a little bunny says goodnight to everything around him, from the “great green room” to the quiet night outside, creating a soothing and rhythmic lullaby.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Young Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory, where he and four other children experience fantastical rooms filled with sweet surprises—and some important life lessons.
Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees by A. A. Milne
Pooh Bear, ever in search of honey, comes up with a clever but flawed plan to get some from a beehive, leading to a humorous adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
A stuffed rabbit longs to become real through the love of a child, and over time, his bond with a young boy transforms him in a heartwarming tale of love and magic.
Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
A motivational journey filled with whimsical rhymes and colorful illustrations, encouraging readers to embrace life’s adventures, challenges, and endless possibilities.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A tiny caterpillar eats his way through various foods over the course of a week before transforming into a beautiful butterfly in this vibrant, educational tale.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
A touching story about the lifelong relationship between a selfless tree and a boy, illustrating themes of generosity, sacrifice, and unconditional love.
Curious George and the Puppies by Margret & H. A. Rey
Curious George visits an animal shelter and, true to his mischievous nature, gets into some playful trouble while trying to help take care of a litter of puppies.