National Reading Month & the Importance of Reading

March is designated as National Reading Month, a time dedicated to the importance of reading. This special month holds significance as it commemorates the birthday of children's author, Dr. Seuss, born on March 2, 1904. Dr. Seuss's profound impact on children's education and literacy was recognized with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 1984, inspiring National Reading Month to coincide with his birth month.

Parents and caregivers are often reminded of the importance of reading to their children, but WHY is it so important? Reading together goes beyond simply learning to read—it plays a crucial role in enhancing language skills in young children. By exposing them to new vocabulary and diverse language usage, reading helps broaden their understanding of the world around them. Research has indicated that children who are read to daily by their parents are introduced to 290,000 additional words by the time they enter kindergarten compared to those who are not read to regularly, and children who are read up to 5 books a day are exposed to nearly 1.5 million words by the time they are 5 years old.

Our book selection at All About Books is curated based on literacy guidelines and developmental milestones advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Explore our range of titles tailored to different age groups, designed to spark the joy of reading with your little one each day.

Birth - 6 months - Hello Shapes Tyvek  Bold and vibrant titles designed to capture a baby's attention and encourage exploration through touch and sensory experiences. Ideal for newborns with developing eyesight, these visually stimulating books activate optic nerves and engage senses, made durable with Tyvek material for full engagement for baby.

6 - 12  months - Baby Beginnings Filled with captivating real-life images, these photo books are designed to spark your child's curiosity and help them recognize familiar objects and animals in their daily surroundings. Not only do these engaging books introduce young minds to new vocabulary, but they also inspire them to explore the vast world around them.

12 - 18 months - My First Book Introducing fundamental concepts like numbers, colors, and opposites, laying the groundwork for cognitive development and early learning. These books not only teach basic math and color recognition but also foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Exploring opposites challenges children to think creatively, setting the stage for academic success and lifelong learning.

18 - 24 months - First Feelings This series explores the six primary emotions experienced by young children, using gender-neutral characters to illustrate, identify, and discuss each feeling. Developed with insights from Dr. Kathryn Lester, a respected Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex, these books provide helpful coping strategies where needed. It's an interactive approach to introduce Social Emotional Learning (SEL) topics to young readers, nurturing emotional intelligence and comprehension from an early age.

24 - 36 months - Dialogic Reading Books Engage children in dialogic reading by inviting them to actively participate in the story and connect it to their own lives. Utilize questions within the book as a tool to foster interactive reading experiences, promoting the development of early literacy skills in a fun and engaging way.

3 - 4 years - Know Your Numbers Children are provided with an early introduction into the world of counting by twos, fives, and tens. Through interactive and engaging activities, young learners can grasp the concept of skip counting and understand the patterns and sequences involved in these numerical progressions. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for more advanced math skills in the future, laying a solid mathematical groundwork for their academic journey.

4 - 5 years - Timeless Tales & Fables From classic fairy tales to timeless fables, each story is carefully adapted to captivate and engage young children, sparking their imaginations and creativity. But it doesn't end there - at the heart of each tale lies a simple, clear message that serves as a valuable lesson for both parent and child. These stories not only entertain but also inspire meaningful conversations between loved ones, fostering a bond through shared storytelling experiences.