Every day I spent teaching kindergarten and first grade was based on the theory and practice of reading out loud. I wrote about it in the books I published for teachers, and in For Reading Out Loud, the book my daughter and I wrote together. When my grandchildren were born, the reading aloud began again, and, so did the book giving, but with a twist.
On special occasions—birthdays, holidays, visits at house or theirs (be creative), I would write a letter to them on the inside cover of the book I was giving them for the occasion. It would start: Dear Colin, Jemma, Clement, or Abigail (don’t forget to date it), and go from there with whatever came into my mind to tell them--the immediate situation, such as what we might do together, what they liked, wonderful things they were doing, where they were living. I’d tell them what I remembered about their mom or dad when they were the same age. It wasn’t hard to write, because, after all, I was just conversing with a little person I loved. What fun to pick just the right book, and then begin writing.
So, all you grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and parents, too, I pass this suggestion along to you. Start your own very special collection of books for the very special person in your life.