Asking questions leads to learning
The other day I was walking in the river with my daughter and our dog, and we had the good fortune to meet Nora, an adorable 2-year-old, and her father, both also cooling-off in the water.
Nora had a lot to say about the water, her shoes, our doggie and many other things. She also had a lot of questions that her father patiently answered. Nora would listen to him, and then ask her father, "Why?"
All little children ask why, and they do so because they really are trying to learn about their world.
What an exciting time of life! Everything a child encounters is new and amazing, and as long as someone is willing to provide answers to all of a child's questions, more questions will follow, and that's healthy.
Adults who can't be bothered to answer a child's questions do more damage than they might be aware of, for the child will quickly learn not to ask anymore, and that's sad and unfair.
There is a lot of learning that goes on before a child enters school, and reading books together is certainly one way to gain information.
That's what you'll find in the books reviewed today — great books for infants and toddlers that are packed with fun and new things to learn.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Book! Book! Book!"</B> by Deborah Bruss; illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke; Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic Press; 32 pages; read aloud: age 2 to 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.Down on the farm, everything was wonderful until the children went back to school. Suddenly, the farm animals were bored, sad and lonely.Finally, the hen resolved to do something about it. She announced that she was heading into town to find something to do, and the rest of the farm animals decided to join her.When the group arrived at the library, the hen knew this was the place they'd been looking for; everyone who came out of the library had a happy face!One by one, the other farm animals insisted on entering the library to see what they could do there, but it wasn't until the hen had a chance to inquire that the librarian understood just what the animals needed — books!Charming illustrations grace this fun book that delivers two important messages: there's nothing quite as entertaining as a good book, and you can find just that at your library!
<B>Library:</B> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury<B>Library Director:</B> Kathy Kline<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Baby's Boat"</B> by Jeanne Titherington; <B>"Oh, Baby!"</B> by Elizabeth Hathon; <B>"Valentino"</B> by Andrea Wolf
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Petting Farm"</B> developed and published by Little Scholastic, 2007; 20 pages; $12.99 board book with bonus DVD; read aloud: infant to age 3.An adorable touch-and-feel book, "Petting Farm" introduces little readers to all sorts of farm animals.Playful color photographs and simple text teach children what the animals look like, what noise each one makes, what they like to eat, and other information.Included is a bonus DVD that further enhances a child's visit to the farm and the animals that live there.Loads of things to touch, learn, see and listen to, "Petting Farm" is packed with fun.<B>"The Tiny Tadpole"</B> by Judith Nicholls; illustrated by Mara van der Meer; Little Scholastic, 2007; 12 pages; $7.99 board book; read aloud: age 1 to 3.Another fun touch-and-feel book by Little Scholastic, "The Tiny Tadpole" takes toddlers on the journey of a tadpole named Freddie who desperately wants to have legs and finally grows from a tadpole into a frog.Told in rhyme and providing different tactile opportunities throughout, this selection makes learning fun in many regards.
