Encouraging a Love of Reading from a Young Age
Posted on August 19, 2019
by April S
Libraries are remarkable places for people of all ages, but especially children. At the Library, children are exposed to a variety of fun programs, books and resources. And there’s always something new to check out. Below are a small selection of favorites from the past year that my kids loved and hopefully your kids will too (read it again!).
10 Picture Books Your Kids Will Love
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cultivating a Love of Reading from a Young Age
Did you know reading aloud to children has been proven to have lifelong benefits? Parents who read to their children are bonding with them, engaging their imagination and encouraging active learning.
The Benefits of Reading to Children
Below are a 5 reasons to read to your child:
- Reading to babies in the womb could help jump-start their language skills
- Reading to babies boosts brain development
- Reading aloud to babies and toddlers supports basic speaking skills
- Reading aloud to children increases their vocabulary
- Reading to young children helps to develop lasting literacy skills
Encourage a Lifelong Love of Reading
The books and resources below discuss the power of reading aloud to children. They also cover many ways parents can cultivate a love of reading in their children.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Related Articles
- Steps for Cultivating a Love of Reading in Young Children
- 25 Simple Ways To Cultivate A Love Of Reading In Your Children
- How to Help Raise a Child Who Loves to Read
- 7 Ways to Encourage a Love of Reading
- 18 Genius Ways to Make Kids Love Reading
- The Benefits of Reading to Children: From Prenatal to Adolescence
A lot of people visit the Library every day. As a matter of fact, public libraries across the United States welcomed 1.4 billion in-person visitors in 2016 alone, which equates to about 4 million visits per day or 2,664 per minute. That’s pretty amazing!
Libraries are remarkable places for people of all ages, but especially children. At the Library, children are exposed to a variety of fun programs, books and resources. And there’s always something new to check out. Below are a small selection of favorites from the past year that my kids loved and hopefully your kids will too (read it again!).
Fantastic Picture Books
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cultivating a Love of Reading from a Young Age
Did you know reading aloud to children has been proven to have lifelong benefits? Parents who read to their children are bonding with them, engaging their imagination and encouraging active learning.
The Benefits of Reading to Children
Below are a 5 reasons to read to your child:
- Reading to babies in the womb could help jump-start their language skills
- Reading to babies boosts brain development
- Reading aloud to babies and toddlers supports basic speaking skills
- Reading aloud to children increases their vocabulary
- Reading to young children helps to develop lasting literacy skills
Library Love
For all the reasons mentioned above and many more, we believe fostering a love of books and the Library is a good thing.
20 Wonderful Library-Themed Picture Books
We hope you enjoy these wonderful picture books inspired by a love of the Library.
 |
If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t! by Elise ParsleyA latest cautionary tale by the best-selling creator of If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! finds young Magnolia’s efforts to set up a circus big top at the local library hampered by narrow bookshelves and other wacky challenges. |
 |
The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael MarkUsing the lyrics to Tom Chapin and Michael Mark’s “The Library Song,” this picture book celebrates the magic of reading and of libraries. |
 |
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William JoyceMorris Lessmore loves words, stories and books, and after a tornado carries him to another land, dreary and colorless, he finds a single book in color that leads him to an amazing library where, he learns, the books need him as much as he needs them. |
 |
A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle HarperA quirky ode to spirit, identity and the joy of having a library card follows the adventures of Little Card, who delightedly anticipates going to school to become a birthday card only to trade jobs with Big Card and embark on a life at the library, where he struggles to use his exuberant gifts in a quiet environment. |
 |
Library Lion by Michelle KnudsenA lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to both obey the rules and help his librarian friend. |
 |
Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinnEvery Tuesday Lola and her mother visit their local library to return and check out books, attend story readings, and share a special treat. |
 |
Lost in the Library : A Story of Patience and Fortitude by Josh FunkPatience, one of the New York Public Library lions, is missing and Fortitude, the other lion, searches the building from top to bottom seeking him. |
 |
Lottie Paris and the Best Place by Angela JohnsonLottie Paris goes to the library, her favorite place in the world, and makes a new friend for whom the library is also a special place. |
 |
Froggy Goes to the Library by Jonathan LondonWhen Froggy, Mom, and Pollywogilina set out for the library, Froggy brings a wheelbarrow to hold all the books he plans to borrow but he is so excited that he forgets to use his indoor voice. |
 |
Pete the Cat Checks out the Library by James DeanJoin Pete the cat as he visits a library for the first time, gets a library card, takes a fun tour, and reads some cool stories that take him on a few groovy adventures. |
 |
Library Day by Anne RockwellWhile visiting the library for the first time, a young boy listens to stories, reads books and magazines, and learns that there is something for everyone at the library. |
 |
Dinosaur Vs. the Library by Bob SheaDinosaur is going to one of his favorite places, the library, and on the way he encounters a series of animals, including a cow, baby chicks, a turtle, and an owl, and shares his roars with each. |
 |
The Berenstain Bears: We Love the Library by Mike BerenstainThe Berenstain Bears are always checking out books about outer space, medieval knights, cute animals, and more at the library. But then one day, the family finds out the library may be shutting down forever. The cubs know they have to do something! But how can they save their precious library before it’s too late? |
 |
Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie GassmanA child brings a dragon to the library and learns a valuable lesson–libraries and dragons do not mix. |
 |
A Library Book for Bear by Bonny BeckerAlthough he sees no need for more books to read, Bear agrees to accompany Mouse to the library. |
 |
Library Mouse: A World to Explore by Daniel KirkWhen Sarah, an explorer mouse, meets Sam she gives him the courage to finally climb to the highest library shelves–and beyond–and he shows her how to explore the world through reading. |
 |
Curious George Visits the Library by Martha WestonGeorge is lucky to arrive at the library just in time for story hour. But it’s not easy for a little monkey to sit still too long. From selecting books to getting his very own library card, George’s day at the library makes reading fun. |
 |
Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card by Herman ParishAmelia Bedelia helps out at the library with her classmates and wonders what kind of book she should borrow when she receives her first library card. |
 |
The Library Gingerbread Man by Dotti EnderleThe Gingerbread Man, who lives at 398.2 on the library shelves, decides to escape and leads the librarian on a chase throughout the library. |
 |
The Not So Quiet LibraryDid you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters! Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more! Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.  325 Michigan Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 National IMLS Medal Winner |