Are you sitting comfortably?

I do not know about you, however one of many details that I remember from my younger days is my father and mother reading tales to me and my sister. I intend to create similar memories for my kids, not least because it furnished me with a long lasting love of books. The best childrens books can represent an escape from real life or show them about life, they offer them a chance to enrich their vocabulary and language capabilities, and even their overall knowledge. So it is clear, I love books and I would really like my youngsters to enjoy them as much as I do.  rnThere are many classics that I remember from my younger days that are even now very popular these days. In several instances that could possibly be because the present era of film directors also have happy memories of particular tales. In recent days 'Where the Wild Things Are' has been made into a film, the entire series of CS Lewis' 'Chronicles of Narnia' is being dramatised plus a new Winnie the Pooh film has made an appearance. Despite the fact that films will be one way to get your little ones interested in books, don't misinterpret the power of a great book or captivating illustration to seize any tiny tot's attention.  rnPicture books are the initial stage. Babies and tiny tots are able to discover colours, shapes, facial expressions and animals from colourful board books that are frequently a good instance of one-to-one care from a mother or father, older sister or brother or other family member.  It is rewarding to observe your tiny scholar learning the best way to describe their environment. When my daughter was only three she taught my year old son the basic shapes, with a Dora the Explorer book. As rewarding as this stage can be, I'd say it becomes more fun for mum and dad as soon as the youngsters progress to stories.  rnIt can be wonderful the moment your daughter or son falls in love with a story which you yourself grew up with. Winnie the Pooh is one particular case in point which has been beloved by three generations of my family. It virtually seems to be a dreadful omission if there isn't a Winnie the Pooh story on a young kid's bookcase. Though to be sensible I don't remember meeting a four year old who could not recognise Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and Pooh Bear himself. Another fantastic classic, that appears to be undergoing a renewal of popularity, is the Very Hungry Caterpillar. This superb story, illustrated in a unique fashion, has the nifty characteristic of holes in the pages where the caterpillar has munched through a range of foods. I'm confident this book can take much of the credit for youngsters who recognize where butterflies come from.  rnI believe it is fair to say that there have been one or two books penned in the previous decade which are well on the way to becoming classics in their own right. I would be particularly surprised if my future grandchildren weren't introduced to the Gruffalo quite early on in their lives. The combo of Julia Donaldson's witty text and Axel Schleffer's captivating illustrations have created a contemporary masterpiece popular with kids and parents alike. The story of the Gruffalo and several of Donaldson's other works, like 'Monkey Puzzle' and 'What the Ladybird Heard', I am pleased to say, will likely be here for many decades to come.