For many of us, some of the most memorable moments of childhood are centred on being with a loved adult sharing a book.
I was so lucky to have had a mother who read to me regularly, and doubly lucky to have had a grandmother who told stories. All the old ones that Disney commercialized - Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White.
Granny would visit once or twice a year. Because our suburban house was so tiny, she shared my bedroom when she came. In the mornings, while the rest of the house was still asleep, I would ask her for a story.
We'd both lie there with our eyes closed, as she told and retold the old favourites. I would imagine, as the story was spun, the hedge of thorns growing around Beauty's castle, Cinderella and the Prince twirling on the palace dance floor and Snow White sweeping out the dwarves' cottage.
A story told without illustrations allows the child complete control over the visuals. It allows the story to be owned by the listener in a way that is simply not possible through other means. It's a precursor to reading longer novels without illustrations.
If you have never tried it with your child or grandchild, take the plunge, tell the story instead of reading it. Children are the most forgiving of listeners.
The choice of books for children from birth through to young adult has exploded over the past 50 years. Both fiction and non-fiction offerings with controlled vocabulary and in some cases, even textured and pop up illustrations make these books irresistible to little ones.
The library has an outstanding collection for you to explore. As well as offering fantastic programs for kids of all ages, our library has also hosted author visits from some of Canada's best known kid book writers: Jean Little, Diane Swanson, Julie Lawson, Kathy Stinson and, some years back, that grand master of story writing and telling, Robert Munsch.
For a full listing of programs for children from newborn through to the teen years, check the library's website. You may Google 撸奶社区Library, or go to http://squamish.bclibrary.ca.
