One of the best ways to gear kids up for school is to get them reading. It develops vocabulary, fosters creative thinking, and builds mental focus. Sometimes getting kids to read is easier said than done. If a child refuses to read, what's a desperate parent to do?
"Noni is nervous about a lot of things. She is nervous about her playdates with her bossy friend Susie. She is nervous about global warming. And, today, she is nervous about her first day of school."
Noni bites her nails. She twirls her hair, and talks too much. Her parents are concerned, and Noni is worried. What if the teacher is mean? What will she wear, and where will she sit on the bus? How will she ever calm her nerves about school?
Uncovering a well-loved book from my childhood feels like finding a long-lost friend. No matter how many years have passed, an inexplicable affection remains. So, naturally I presume my kids will love these books the way I do. I admit, my feelings are kind of hurt when a favourite childhood book gets rejected. What do you mean, "boring!?"