posted on 26 Aug 2018

Raising a Reader: Boden at two years old

I am delighted to tell you that my two year old grandson still really loves his books. I say that with some surprise because he has developed into an active child who likes nothing better than climbing, gambolling and running about with great enthusiasm. But every time I visit and settle down to sit on the sofa, he still goes to fetch me one of his books from his bookshelf and snuggles up beside me for a story. I can hear you saying ‘Of course he does – it’s a conditioned response because you are always banging on about books!’ Possibly so, although I know that he still also enjoys looking through his books at quiet times in his busy day. His mum and dad still take turns to read with him as part of his bedtime routine, and frequently during the day as well.

His book collection is growing fast and he now has shelves in his bedroom as well as in the downstairs living room, so that he can pick and choose at his leisure. He often returns to his old time favourites like ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘ Postman Bear’ by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, ‘Blown Away’ by Rob Biddolph, ‘Wow said the Owl’ and ‘Unpoppable’ by Tim Hopwood. He is intrigued and always very gentle when looking at pop- up books like ‘Haunted House’ by Jan Pienkowski, one of his dad’s big childhood favourites. They now have a best copy (for dad’s use only) plus two other copies for Boden to enjoy. I love watching him look at it, telling himself to be careful as he pulls the delicate tabs, opens flaps and all the many other clever paper engineer’s devices - a seasoned and appreciative pop- up book user already.

He still likes physically organising his books and the other day. I watched him playing for a good ten minutes with a collection of mini board books based on ‘The Hungry Caterpillar ‘by Eric Carle. He was first stacking them up into a tower and then placing next to each other in a long line on the floor. All the time he was talking to himself about the colours, the various foods and the ‘aterpillar’.

I recently introduced him to ‘Little Rabbit Foo Foo’ by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Arthur Robins and I'm impressed that he can already join in with reading most of this wonderful story and recites it almost word for word when asked. Last week he was very keen for us to read it together yet again and I was surprised at how he wanted to linger over the very detailed pictures and to tell me all about them. This is something he has learnt from his dad who enjoys spending time relishing the pictures in this one and other stories at the end of each day. Another favourite is the very funny ‘The Lumberjack’s Beard’ by Duncan Beedie and he also likes the Dr Seuss books  - it seems that he is developing a good sense of humour.

He is very interested in anything to do with birthday cakes and so really loves ‘Bear’s Special Birthday’ by A.J. Wood, illustrated by Lorna Hussey. This beautifully textured book includes pictures of gloriously bespoke cakes baked and decorated by Mr Bear for zebras, giraffes and elephants along with lots of other animals. He spends ages leaning in and poring over the illustrations, stroking them, looking closely and deciding which cake he likes best - almost licking his lips as he does so.

Boden now has a baby brother and I have been a bit guilty of bombarding him with books about this impending event during the last few months, as there are some great ones out there like ‘ Waiting for Baby’ by Rachel Fuller and ‘ There’s a House inside my Mummy’ by Vanessa Cabban. A friend bought him ‘My mummy laid an egg’ by Babette Cole, which was probably a bit too advanced for him. But I am pleased that he always receives books graciously and so he spent a long time looking at this one from different angles, holding it above his head whilst singing and then turning the pages slowly as if trying to drink in the strange story with anarchic illustrations.

Now that the baby has arrived and so changed his life forever, I have given him a few like ‘My New Baby ‘by Rachel Fuller and ‘Clive and his Babies’  by Jessica Spanyol, stories which to be honest he isn’t that bothered  about. It’s as if he is thinking ‘enough already – surely there something more interesting to read about’! He has started to show some of his books to his little brother but often says ‘He’s too small’ and moves away to enjoy the luxury of reading alone. He isn’t too small of course but he has the advantage of watching his big brother enjoying his books from a distance and hopefully learning that this is a worthwhile activity. I am proud to report that two year old Boden is already playing an important part in raising another reader.

 

Karen Argent

August 2018