Early_literacy_07-48

Jeff Green | Dec 06, 2007

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Justin was almost 11 months old when he experienced his first Christmas. On Christmas morning he unwrapped his presents slowly, mesmerized by the sight, sound and feel of the bows and brightly coloured paper. But the gifts Justin loved the very most were the neither the plastic child safe toys nor the hand-made pull toy. They were the boxes his presents were packaged in. Years later, when I heard the Canadian Toy Testing Council declare the cardboard box as the best toy for children, it made perfect sense to me. Boxes may look dull and uneventful, but to a child they are toy car garages, bear caves, pirate treasure boxes or bricks for some new fangled Leaning Tower of Pisa. A box is not just a box.

Books are not just books either. They may look like rows of text and pictures sandwiched between two covers, but to a child they are fodder for new ideas, information, imagination, and a place to understand himself and others better.

Oh course certain types of books capture children’s interest best at different stages of their lives. The one-year-old who is fascinated by dump trucks will appreciate a sturdy book with brightly coloured trucks and textured wheels she can touch and feel. A two-year-old will prefer simple board books with seek and find pictures of vehicles. A four-year-old will gravitate to truck photos with accompanying explanations of how trucks are used in construction.

At Christmas time we think about our children’s interests and seek gifts we know will make them smile. Books offer amazing versatility to reflect children’s individual interests.

Books can also help children understand and explore ideas and emotions around the holiday season.

Infants and toddlers will enjoy “Jingle Babies” by Tom Arma, a board book filled with photos of babies dressed in holiday style. “How to Build a Snowman” published by Little Scholastic, is a touch and feel book about making a snowman.

For preschoolers, “Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear” by Don and Audrey Wood is the story of a small mouse that discovers the meaning of empathy on Christmas Eve. Another favourite author, Laura Numeroff, has written “Merry Christmas Mouse”, a tree trimming counting book.

Iza Trapani, in her trademark style, takes the familiar song “Jingle Bells” and adds new verses. This is a book to be read or sung as the main characters fly through the night sky on a Santa-like sleigh visiting children in different countries around the world and discovering their various holiday traditions.

“An Aboriginal Carol” is a beautiful version of The Huron Carol. This book, illustrated by First Nations painter Moses Beaver with poetry by Mis author David Bouchard, is written in both English and Inuktitut. The book includes a CD with the story read in both languages and performed by Inuit singer Susan Aglukark.

A box is not just a box. A book is not just a book. Great gift ideas for your child can be that simple.