Does your child want to read the same book over and over again? If this is the case, rest assured that there is reason to celebrate because she is showing signs of early literacy!

Encourage your child to independently choose the book that she would like to share with you. Offer your child options but respond with enthusiasm even if the same book is brought to you each time you ask her to make a choice. Research has proven that repeating any task, including reading the same text over and over again to the point of complete memorization, is instrumental in the early development of a child's brain.

Children are comforted by the simplicity of predictable routines and rituals throughout their day. When a child memorizes a book and is able to predict what is going to happen next she is given a sense of confidence and security. Your child will delight in being able to "read" the book to you because they have memorized the text. Ask your child questions about what is  going to happen next and anticipate the next page with intrigue. When you are reading a story that you know your child has memorized encourage your child to hold the book for you and decide when to turn the pages. Many books provide intentional repetition so that children can hear you say the phrase and then join you in saying the same phrase when it is repeated on the following pages.

When a child memorizes the text of a story they will eventually be able to look at the illustrations on their own and feel the same pleasure they experience when you read it to them. So the next time your child brings you the same story that you have read at least 100 times resist the urge to sigh with exasperation. Delight in the fact that your child has found a friend in a treasured favorite book. Some stories that make great use of repetition are:

Two Little Monkeys by Mem Fox 

Hide and Squeak by Heather Frederick Vogel 

Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clark

Submitted by Stephanie Duncombe

How exciting to watch our children take those first tentative steps from great listeners to strong readers! With each book completed, we can feel their confidence blossom. Fortunately, our collection of beginning-to-read titles is more vibrant and rewarding that ever.

Pirate Pat by Mairi Mackinnon

This summer we've added the Usborne Very First Reading series. These phonics-based books are designed to help boost your child's vocabulary and comprehension while also building her confidence. As your child works his way up from the first title in the series, each subsequent book grows slightly more challenging. A single page displays the new sounds your child will explore in each book, so child and adult can explore the new sounds before the story begins. Each book also includes activities that follow the story, allowing you to check your child's comprehension and vocabulary with the completion of each story.

My Sitter Is a T-Rex! by Paul Orshoski is part of our We Both Read collection. Here is a  hilarious story about what happens when Mom and Dad call a new babysitting agency at the last minute and order a T-Rex to come babysit. At first Todd is horrified to be left in the care of such a monster, but he soon comes to see that even the biggest and scariest of beings can take good care of a little boy. You'll read one page, the more challenging one, and your child will take the next turn reading the easier page that adjoins it. Your child will enjoy the thrill of reading such a challenging book and never quite realize that her part is just a bit simpler than yours.

Calling All Cars by Sonia Sander is one of the titles in our LEGO™ beginning-to-read series. These books place the beloved little LEGO™ people in all types of adventures. The pictures are all drawn in LEGO™ style with plenty of action and excitement. These titles are likely to hold special appeal for our boys. They feature familiar scenarios including chasing bad guys, fighting fires, working with construction vehicles, and even space travel. If you have a child who is struggling with reading, but a whiz when it comes to building with LEGO™ blocks, we may have just the right series for you.

Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Ryland

Explore our Read Along collection to help your child continue advancing her reading experience even when you're not free to read with her. Each book comes complete with a CD  recording of the text. The recordings are "cued" with a tone that tells your young reader when to turn the page. Your child can explore not only beginning-to-read titles, but also picture books too advanced for young readers to handle alone, and non-fiction titles, too!