thread: book obsessions?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    127

    book obsessions?

    Hi, does any ones child have an obsession.. My little one (21) mnthls, loves books. he wants books all day read to him, now he is beginning to have his favourites.. He also likes us to read to him, when he can have a look at them himself. He can point at most pictures. It is getting to the stage that he is enjoying books more then any other toy in the house.. wow , anyone elses child like this? i know i love my books, but he is wow,want them all the time.. if he cant see one, its like " book" "book" "book" looking for 1.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Melbourne
    6,745

    Yes, DD also had a book obsession and she would obsess over particular books as well. We have a few that she can "read" all by herself as she has memorised them having heard them so many times!!!

    She will now do other things but still loves books and still has her favourites so it does become less intense.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Add aussienic on Facebook

    Feb 2005
    Boyne Island
    6,327

    I wish my 2 younger sons would be like that.. My eldest was and he still loves books and is a fantastic reader (boast) he is well above average for reading

    You could look into those leapfrog or fisher price books where they can touch the word and it gets read to them.. leapstar is the new one I think.... I have the fisher price one but I don't think they well it anymore... Anyways they are great for when they want a book read and you don't have time or simply not in the mood..

  4. #4
    Registered User

    May 2007
    Warrnambool Vic
    1,476

    Hi,

    Of all the obsessions you could have, a book obsession is the one to go for. I bet you can virtually see your little one's mind opening and developing before your eyes! Like everything, there are days when, after the 10th repeat of the same story you wish it were otherwise! You try to "skip" a few pages - and they chuck a tatne because they "know" you missed out a bit of the story! But the other part of the secret is (clever boy) He knows that when you are reading to him he has "you" He has yor time and attention, your cuddles and your warmth. Yes, they could do it by themselves, but the pleasure is in sharing with the one you love.
    Like any task, it get's boring for busy adults, and you can set limits, but as much as you can, encourage it, it will set up a lifelong joy of learning
    Barb

  5. #5
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    DS1 has had a book obsession since he was old enough to see one! And thank goodness. While he also loves cars and trains, books are still the surest way to keep him quietly in one spot for any length of time.

    I have to say now that there are some books that I dread reading to DS2 (who can't sit still for more than 1 or 2 pages of even a basic board book LOL!), such as The Cat in the Hat, as DS1 and I were both able to recite that word for word when he was just turned 1. But another plus is that Jack's language and reading skills have always been advanced for his age due to his love of books. He would point to everything and ask "what's this?". When he knew what all the pictures were, he asked about letters and numbers and consequently could read every letter of the alphabet and a few words by 18 months. Now at 3 he will routinely spell words while having a conversation and can read quite well.

    Now if only I could DS2 to sit through even one book!!!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    7,197

    What a great obsession to have!!!! Nurture it for all it is worth! Studies show that boys lose interest in reading and books by around 8 years old and as a teacher I see it and it is difficult to recultivate in them beyond that age! As Barb said, you are in a perfect place to nurture a lifelong love of learning which is wonderful!

    Izzy has been read to pretty much since she was born and now has "play" books - all her hard cover books that she just adores and carries around the house and "reads" and all her picture story books are the ones we read to her and keep out of reach so they don't get wrecked!! I have no doubt she will be an avid reader like her mummy due to being exposed to books from such a young age!! As a teacher one thing we notice at our school is that some kids come into prep and we hand them books and they hold them upside down and have NO idea what to do with them. Yep at 5 years old. Izzy already picks up a book and turns it the right way around before looking through it.

    Another thing - most local libraries run a Tots Hour, and they do fun songs, games and read books to them - I can't wait to go with Iz and it might be something that your DS might enjoy! You could borrow more books too while you are there!
    Last edited by Beach Mama; June 29th, 2008 at 09:31 AM.

  7. #7
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    Tan, I would have thought that exposing kids to books early would be enough. But it seems that even when you do, they are not always interested. T still has very little interest, and when he does "read", he still holds the books upside down at 21 months!! And it's not like I don't try to read to him. So sadly I think they can be like that even when you do all the right things!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2006
    Sydney
    1,746

    My DS has an obsession with books too. We go to the library every fortnight to pick out three new books and by the end of the two weeks I know them by heart and DS can tell if I try to skip a page or read it wrong His favourite books are the Todd Parr ones because of the bright colours I suppose. He will happily sit all day and have books read to him - drives me nuts! - but as most have said, it's a good obsession to have

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    I've got another little 'wormie' here. She's always had books and been allowed to tough and feel. I remember one of my gf's saying when she was 10 months old "you give her books with pages???" ie paper pages....I thought well if she never is allowed to feel them how will she know if she's pulling too hard etc...any ways..

    But if I have to read "Hooray for Fish" or "Where's the green sheep?" one more time....

    Library is a top idea.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    3,205

    Yep, Oskar LOVES his books. He has his faves too and then there's the favourite pages and favourite pictures...lol. You have to make the right sounds too. Oh and then there's the ones I like dad to read better than mum and vice versa...lol.