I love children's books and through my career I've collected a large library.
When I retired last year I sorted through them all and above is what I have left.
Behind each door is a cubby full of books waiting to be shared.
In another book shelf I've stored my baby board books.
Those are the ones we are using right now.
Every month I bring a new bunch of books to my daughter's place,
I am their baby book library - Nana's library.
My daughter and son in-law introduced books right from birth.
They made it a part of their bed time routine in the beginning.
My husband (Opa) and I shared books with her any time we could.
Starting with just reading one page, if that was all she was interested in.
I liked using flap books because we were into 'peek-a-boo".
Those books kept her attention a little longer.
Sharing books gave us that wonderful experience to bond,
for us to get to know each other,
to build trust, introduce new words, concepts, emotions,
and to have fun.
And her love of books grew to more than just bedtime.
There were usually a couple of books available in her toy basket
to be seen as an everyday item not something special to be pulled out
at certain times.
She was allowed to play with them, become familiar with how they felt
and learn how to open and flip the pages.
As she grew older the amount of books available to her at one time increased.
Her mom created a book shelf that is at her level and is in their main living area.
She has become more specific in which books she wants to look at.
She picks through the books until she finds the one she wants, carries it to one of us, climbs up on our laps, and turn the pages.
She now has her favourite books and her favourite pages.
Today she turns one and she loves books.
She loves to share them with us
or enjoy them herself.
I think it's time to bring out the felt board and expand on the stories.
