It's never too soon to read a book to a baby. Jasper, my eight month old grandson, already loves to sit on a knee, look at a book and be read to. He loves listening to the rythm and repetition of the words, so much so, he now picks up a book himself to look at.
He also likes to put them into his mouth too, so there's some very soggy, dog eared corners.
He's now got used to the lovely, comforting evening routine of having a bath, then a cuddle on his Mum's knee whilst being read to and then put to bed in his cot. It gives me such pleasure to know that's happening as that's what I used to do with all of three of my children and can't wait to do that with my grandchildren.
That's why it's so sad to read the other week that 383,775 children in the UK don't have a single book of their own. That's according to research from the National Literacy Trust which says that compared to those disadvantaged children, children who own books are six times more likely to read above their level excpected for their age and nearly three times more likely to enjoy reading .
Both the National Literacy Trust and the Book Trust have fundraising campaigns this Christmas to send books to children who are vulnerable or in care, or in Britain's poorest communities.
For me, libraries and good bookshops have been a gateway to so much inspiration and happiness. A library card is a passport to new worlds and a free gift to any one. A good bookshop in your local area is also a delight ...our local one, the Bookshop in Kibworth runs numerous bookgroups in different locations and the shop itself is a inviting, friendly, if not small space.
A few Sundays ago, I was there with lots of others to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the shop opening. Packed with books and people browsing and buying madly for children and adults, it was a convivial affair with mulled wine and Christmas Cake., and lots of chat with everyone recommending books that they've enjoyed over the last year to others.Of course I bought books, including
Jasper's first Christmas book.
Debbie James on the left is the owner of the Bookshop with happy customers
I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet, and if you haven't done so either, why not pop into your local bookshop and buy a book? Such an important present for anyone at any age, and if you're not sure what to do buy, a book token is a very practical present.
Who knows what new worlds and delights you'll be sending the recipients this Christmas?
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