While many feel that every day should include some reading (and not the online kind), today is National Read a Book Day! Whether you or your nanny read to your children, or you do some reading just for yourself, there are a multitude of options for people of every age.
According to timeanddate.com, research has shown that reading can have several health and social benefits. Frequent readers tend to have lower stress levels than non-readers. In addition, reading can stimulate brain activity and improve memory. Socially, reading can reap a lot of benefits – well-read people tend to be more empathetic and aware of societal ills and differences. Reading can also improve critical thinking and comprehension skills and can make people better writers.
Ok, so let’s get reading! The Washington Post has compiled a list of suggested books to read at every age, from 1 to 100. Take a look and see if you agree with their choices, and hopefully you’ll find some new titles to try out. Some of the child-focused highlights from their list are:
Age 1: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – always a favorite, this colorful tale helps kids learn numbers, the days of the week, and that junk food causes tummy aches (which they will later forget and re-learn the hard way).
Age 3: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak – parents and nannies know very well that “wild things” describes most 3-year-olds perfectly, so it’s quite appropriate that this imaginative book is recommended for this age. The story is a fantasy that many kids can relate to, and it’s a great read.
Age 7: The Complete Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson – the hilarious misadventures of a boy and his stuffed tiger (real tiger?), this collection of comic strips shows the magic of friendship and how fun life can be when you share it with someone you love. Plus 7-year-olds will love the ideas for mischief.
Age 9: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume – dealing with younger siblings and the stresses of getting older are topics handled with humor and relatability in this classic story.
Age 13: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai – while not a light read, this inspiring memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize-winning author shows what one teen can accomplish in the face of oppression. It also provides a compelling look at daily life in a very different culture.
So what are you going to read today? And if you need a nanny or babysitter to help out on National Read a Book Day or any other day, call (518) 348-0400 and let us know how we can help!