When my friends threw Annabel a baby shower I asked them to tell my guests not to bring gifts – if they were so moved to spend money, I hoped they would donate to Friends of Maddie. My friends listened to me…sort of. They expressed my wishes for donation, but still asked that everyone bring their favorite book to add to Annabel’s collection. When I arrived at the shower I was so happy to see all of my friends toting a book to give to Annie.
Getting so many amazing, meaningful books was such a special gift. Annie now has her own copy of children’s classics like “The Velveteen Rabbit,” “Where The Wild Things Are,” and “Goodnight Moon.” She also has some books which, if they aren’t classics yet, may be one day:
The girl in the window? Totally a baby Snooki.
As can be expected, Annabel didn’t have much interest in these books when she was a baby, but now that she is a worldly and sophisticated toddler she is obsessed with them:
Annie received so many books, in fact, that we were able to give our little book worm her very own shelf on our book case:
The best part about her shelf? It is located at the perfect Annie level:
That’s the one I want! Right there!!!!
Annie will sit on the floor and flip through the pages of her books all by herself, babbling as if she’s reading to herself. I die from the cuteness. But, she still loves to be read to. She will cruise over to me, or Mike, or Rigby with a book in hand, then drop it in front of you and demand, “Up!” She still doesn’t really understand that Rigby doesn’t speak English.
Mike is very good with this. He puts Annie on his lap and reads the book to her with funny voices and great enthusiasm. He is very good, I should clarify, the FIRST time he reads it. By nighttime, when Annie is asking him to read the same book yet again for the twentieth time that day, his readings leave a lot to be desired.
I love that Annie loves books. She may not totally understand what they are about just yet, but she sees them as fun, and enjoys the ritual of opening a book and turning the pages. This is important, and a good sign that she is going to turn into a reader like her mama. And who knows? I may even one day let her read my precious copy of “Gone With The Wind” that my grandmother gave me. Assuming, of course, that she outgrows her nasty little habit of accidentally ripping pages out of books. Yay board books!
Jennifer says:
OMG! There’s a Good Night New Jersey? We have Good Night San Diego (with the immortal line “surf’s up, surfer dude”) and Good Night, Boston which are already sketchy enough…no Caldecott winners in that series.
I wholeheartedly second the child’s own bookshelf at their own level. Both my boys have a book shelf in their rooms – I never know where any given book is since they migrate from room to room, because in this house “books are for sharing.” Which is good.
NoL says:
Love it. My favorite photo was the close up with the books on the shelf which shows the “Yes!Yes!” book/s. Dovetails nicely with Mike’s “no” post earlier this week.
dysfunctional mom says:
I LOVE to see a toddler “read” a book. It’s one of my absolute favorite things!
randi says:
My boys are both bookworms too! My oldest, who is 5, has a little 2-shelf bookcase in his room and lets his 19-month old brother take them as he pleases. I love that they love to read!
meg...ct says:
I have my Grandmother’s copy of “Little Women” from when she was a little girl…its a treasure to have though missing the first 5 pages :o(
Lisa says:
That is so awesome. I love hearing about kids who love reading at such a young age. Maya has a huge collection of books. She has her own shelf on our family room book shelf and a couple of shelves worth of book in her bedroom. She will sit for hours reading sometimes, I love it.
Yay for book loving mamas with little girls who are becoming book lovers too
Rebecca says:
Before I even met my husband I had an unhealthy obsession with books and somehow collected over 200 books before the kids were even born. Which, I’m glad I collected them before I had kids because now that the kids are here, we barely have money for food and clothing and diapers.
AmazingGreis says:
Books are amazing! I love reading to kids. Next time I’m there I’ll totally read to Annie, you know, if she’ll let me!
lb says:
The public library is key to not having to read the same 5 books again and again and again for months on end. When you get them from the library, you only have to read them again and again and again for three weeks at a time! Plus, free!
Johanna says:
I loved reading when I was little (and now read two to four books a week, so that love definitely carried into adulthood). My grandmother taught me how to read before I started kindergarden. I remember it quite well. So glad Annie has such enthusiasm for books already!
Kim says:
She approaches Rigby to read to her? I’m dying here!
Anthony from CharismaticKid says:
Just the thought of her reading books on her own in her own little language gives me the giggles. Is that book in the pictures shes reading the NJ book? I’m from NJ!
Veronica says:
My daughter has a huge basket in her room that only contains books, she pulls books out, drags them all over the house, “reads” them or throws them at me and “yells” at me until I start reading them to her (which we never actually finish a whole book before she gets itching to move along to something else – attention span is about a minute with her).
My favorite is when she will wedge herself between the big basket and her dresser and sits there and “reads” a bunch of books and is just content to be in her own little world.
I just wish she would stop biting the corners of the books off!
Only in Louisiana ~ documenting the adventures of life! says:
So smart – great idea for a baby shower. Books are the key to a smart and interactive child. We have spent an unbelievable small fortune on books and although I fought Kindle tooth and nail, my pocket book loves it now. My children never went anywhere without a book and they still don’t even at ages 12 and 16 and 18. It shows in their vocab, their test scores and everything they do…..keep Annie up to her ears in books! You will be amazed at the influence it has in her life.
Mommy says:
Sooooo true! Books are great for kids. As a teacher, I can almost always tell which students were read to and which weren’t, based on their attitude towards reading as well as their vocabulary and spelling. YAY for reading!!!
Laura says:
I have never commented before but felt that I wanted to share a special book with you. “What do they do all day in Heaven?” After losing my middle daughter I was given this book and read it countless times to my youngest daughter that wondered what her sister was doing in Heaven. I googled the book and found this link. http://capturedmiracles.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-do-they-do-all-day-in-heaven.html
Audra says:
I love that the little shelf is at a level where Annie can reach it. Good work Mama!
Cheryl says:
as a total bookworm (my husband refuses to move again since he doesn’t want to lug my books) I totally relate. I started reading to our son as soon as he was born and now as a 5 yr old he has a four shelf bookcase which is full of books. In fact last weekend he asked to go to the bookstore to find a new book and I will never refuse to buy a book! It is so much fun now that he is really getting into reading. Still working on it, but to hear him sound out the words is so cool and the look of pride on his face when it is a really long word is just priceless.
JenC says:
Do you have “Make Way for Ducklings” yet? My fave and my youngest’s fave book evah!
Rumour Miller says:
I love books and so do my girls. I love watching them “read” their books and tote them around.
Enjoy reading with her.
Glenda says:
I LOVE LOVE books! I’m a total bookworm. I LOVE to read and when my kids were lil I always had a book shelf in their rooms with their books.
I always read to them but I’ve got to admit hubby was more animated
Enjoy reading with Annie.
Penbleth says:
I just love to see a child find the joy and magic of reading. This will set her up for life and provide endless adventures and entertainment as well as education. Just wonderful.
Kayla says:
Aw, how wonderful! I’m an avid, avid book lover myself so to see Annie is already so enthusiastic about reading is great!
I can’t stand e-readers though – oh goodness, don’t get me started. I’ll go on an angry rant for hours, lol! Bottom line: if you can’t physically flip the pages of it, you ‘aint reading a book.
Kristin says:
We have a family FULL of avid readers and it is awesome. We have shelves and shelves full of books and we are still eternally grateful for our local library. Annie’s enthusiasm is contagious.
Kelly says:
Every baby shower I go to, the new Momma and baby get a board book copy of “Guess How Much I Love You…” I love this book, it is so sweet.
I just love the little nut brown hare.
Gemini-Girl says:
So um.. I see you have yet to open mine. It’s cool.
Jenny says:
My little guy who is Annie’s age, adores books. Reads them NON stop. He has figured out how to rip board books by slipping his lil finger in the opening in the binding. He also EATS them like they are going out of style. Books that we have had forEVER that his big sisters kept in perfect condition, he is DESTROYING. But it is so cute I die, too! He loves to sit for long periods reading away, upside down, right side up. It’s the best. Annie is so cute, I can’t wait until she marries my Bryson. I promise not to be a crazy MIL. Maybe.