This week, as I reviewed the list of books she’s had read to her, or has looked at, over and over again, I thought about the many social, emotional, creative, and intellectual gifts she’s received as a result.

I picture her at a book party, holding a bunch of brightly-colored balloons decorated with each of the reasons why parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older brothers and sisters, friends, teachers, and librarians—why, everybody!—should read stories aloud to young children.

1. I learn to listen.

2. I grow my vocabulary

3. I develop empathy.

4. I have fun.

5. I laugh out loud.

6. I learn a second language.

7. I find out about the world and all its diversity.

8. I realize that I can be and do many things.

9. I observe amazing art.

10. I feel the rhythm of language.

11. I encounter all the information that can be found in books.

12. I spark my imagination.

13. I see myself and others different from myself.

14. I feel loved.

15. I feel safe.

And now, for a moment I remember how, before I began reading on my own, my mother’s voice brought my favorite stories to life. How these stories created in me a sense of hope and well-being, assuring me that the world was full of possibilities; that I could do and be many things, a heroine of my own adventure.

2018 Children’s Book Week poster, designed by Jillian Tamaki

You ask yourself, are any of my favorite books on the list? Are there any books on the list that I’d like to read?

As a children’s book author, I feel the best book lists are those that are read and selected by the young readers themselves, like the Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award in Minnesota, or those in other states that sponsor such “children’s choice” award programs.

In that spirit, and upon the occasion of my granddaughter’s birthday this week, I asked my daughter to compile a list of Ofelia’s favorite books from the third year of her life.

Ofelia wearing her hand-sewn Pippi Longstocking apron

Except for the books in Swedish, Ofelia’s second language, I admit that her list held a few surprises:

Animalia and The Waterhole by Graeme Base

Aunt Green, Aunt Brown, and Aunt Lavender by Elsa Beskow

Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Jan Brett

The Gruffalo, The Snail and the Whale, and Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Alex Scheffler

Oh, No! by Candace Fleming Eric Rohman

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

Pippi Longstocking (original picture book) by Astrid Lindgren with illustrations by Ingrid Nyman

Fables by Arnold Lobel

The High Street and Grandma’s House by Alice Melvin

Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski

The Peter Rabbit Pop-up Book by Beatrix Potter

Books written or illustrated by Richard Scarry – too many to name – including my favorite, I am A Bunny

Plume by Isabelle Simler

In next week’s blog post, I’ll reflect upon what I learned about selecting books to read to young readers and the reasons that reading aloud is so very important for their social, emotional, artistic, and intellectual development.

But this season, don’t just wrap your book with sparkly paper and brightly colored ribbons. Add a second, more important gift: carve out the time and space to read the book aloud to your special child. Even if your “read-aloud” session has to be conducted remotely, using Skype or other technologies, add your unique, expressive voice and undivided attention to this year’s gift exchange.

The benefits of reading aloud to a child are indisputable. Check back on this site over the next few weeks as I remind myself and others of the many reasons why.

If you would like a personalized copy of one of my books, please fill out the contact form on my website, with the requested inscription (how you would like the book signed). I will sign the book, gift-wrap if requested, and mail the book USPS book-rate, by the following day to the name/address provided. Shipping would be free; you would pay the cost of the books:

The Secrets of Eastcliff-by-the-Sea hardcover: $15.00

The Secrets of Eastcliff-by-the-Sea paperback: $8.00

Tango: The Tale of an Island Dog paperback: $7.00

By return e-mail, I will provide my home address to which a personal check can be mailed upon receipt of the book.