Nov 29

Nov 29 Tell Me What You're Reading #9: Childrens Books . . . Follow-up to Youngna Park Discussion

I enjoyed so much talking with Youngna Park of The New York Times in episode #8 and, to my own surprise, i enjoyed talking about children’s books with Youngna. I believe that my enjoyment was derived from Youngna’s enthusiasm, and her depth and insights, also from nostalgia on my on part for the books Carol and I read many years ago to Melanie, Dave and Ben, and finally, my enjoyment for a discussion of children’s books probably derives from the recent announcement of Melanie’s pregnancy.

So . . . I decided to do a follow up to the Youngna podcast by talking to some friends and colleagues who have young children. I asked each of these parents , as I ask all of my guests, to tell me what they’re reading. No surprise, they’re reading books to their kids, with hardly any time to read anything else.

I spoke by phone with a number of friends and colleagues.

Many of the books read to the children of these parents, and the themes of reading to and with kids, are the same as those mentioned in our last episode with Youngna. Many are different as well.

Most notable I think is that many of these parents started reading to their kids shortly after there was a sign of cognition. Also, many of their kids have bookcases in their rooms. Lots of parents create a robust reading environment. Parents generally, but not always, read to their kids at bedtime to wind down the day. As kids get a bit older, many are now reading graphic novels, and some parents see this as a transition to novels themselves. And, no surprise, siblings who grow up in identical circumstances will not necessarily learn and read in identical ways.

I had fun talking to my friends and colleagues and I hope you will enjoy the virtual Roundtable discussion as well.

What These Parents Are Reading to and With Their Children

Piggy and Elephant, Mo Willems

Nov 29 Tell Me What You're Reading #9: Childrens Books . . . Follow-up to Youngna Park Discussion

Dec 22 Tell Me What You’re Reading #10: Joe Polizzotto discusses the novels of Elizabeth Strout and other great novelists

Oct 30 Tell Me What You're Reading #8: Conversation with Youngna Park, Executive Director of Parenting at The New York Times - Children's Books; what to read to your kids!

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