Jump-start your child’s interest in reading with Books-A-Million’s 50 Stories to Read Before You’re 5 collection

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We all know that reading to your children is important. But did you know that toddlers and preschoolers who are read to every day have many academic advantages? If you’re looking to jump-start your child’s interest in reading, then check out the 50 Stories to Read Before You’re 5 collection by Books-A-Million.

When you think back to your time in kindergarten, you probably remember coloring, nap time and a lot of play time. While some of this is still part of the curriculum, kindergartners have to know much more today than they used to. They have to learn basic math and science, handwriting and even how to read. In fact, one of the biggest goals for many kindergartners in the greater Birmingham area is to learn how to read 100 words during their first year at big kid school.

Why such an emphasis on reading?

According to reachoutandread.org, reading aloud is the single most important researched activity leading to language development, and it promotes early literacy skills, such as:

• Reading comprehension
• Building vocabulary
• Enhancing the ability to listen

All of these skills are essential as children start school and learn to read.

Reading aloud also:

• Builds motivation, curiosity and memory.
• Helps children cope during times of stress or anxiety.
• Takes children to places and times they have never been – enlarging and enhancing their words.
• Creates a positive association with books and reading.

With Books-A-Million’s 50 Stories to Read Before You’re 5 collection, you will engage your child’s interest in reading and lay the foundation for academic success for years to come.

“It’s so important to begin reading with your children at an early age so that they will continue to develop a love of reading throughout their lives,” said Sandra Wilson, V.P. Merchandising at Books-A-Million for children’s and teen books. “Parents can help their children expand their literacy skills through these classic stories. This suggested book list will provide a platform to enrich their minds.”

“Our comprehensive collaboration of 50 literary pieces will benefit readers and provide enlightenment,” added Wilson. “This list is a collection of some of the most sought after classic and bestselling children’s books that have stood the test of time, providing a great place to start when shopping for children’s gifts.”

Here’s a look at the complete collection:

Together Time collection (Years 0-1)

During that oh-so sweet first year with your baby, the Together Time collection is the perfect way to bond with your little love. The collection features cuddly characters that encourage special moments between you and your baby.

Titles included in the collection:

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
• Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
• On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin
• Little Blue Truck Board Book by Alice Shertle
• My First Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne
• The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
• Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton

It’s My Turn collection (Years 1-2)

Ages 1-2 marks a busy time for you and your little one as they begin to develop memory, sound and verbal skills. The It’s My Turn collection will help encourage your child’s love of reading as they turn pages, point to shapes and discover colors and sounds.

Titles included in the collection:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
• Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
• The Mitten by Jan Brett
• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
• Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Love to Listen collection (Year 3)

Age three marks the time when children’s attention spans lengthen and speech and logical thinking patterns improve. They also really start becoming truly excited about books! With the Love to Listen collection, your three-year-old will discover repetitive and rhyming words, plus lots of adorable pictures. Some will even sit still long enough to hear the ending!

Titles of the collection include:

• The Three Bears by A Little Golden Books Classic
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
• Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
• Curious George by H.A. Rey
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
• Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
• Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night by Brianna Caplan Sayres
• The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright

Growing Mini-Minds collection (Year 4)

Age four and headed to preschool. Can you believe it? This is an age where your child will impress you daily with all of the things they learn each and every day. While an exciting time, it can also be tough, even scary, as they venture away from their parents to do brand-new things for the very first time.

The Growing Mini-Minds collection features stories that create a safe and special time to engage with characters that may be going through the same things.

Titles included in this collection:

• The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
• Olivia by Ian Falconer
• One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Suess
• Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann
• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
• You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cuismano
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

My Story Myself collection (Year 5)

Hello Independence! When your child hits the Big Five, you’ll be amazed by all the things they can suddenly do. Not only will they start strutting their independence, but they will also start being able to read on their own – small words, of course!

The My Story Myself collection features books of poetry, humor and big-kid experiences, which is perfect for preparing them for the many adventures that lie ahead of them.

Titles included in the collection:

• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
• Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
• Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
• How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
• Oh, the Things You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss
• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
• The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka

Incredible list, isn’t it?

To purchase Books-A-Million’s complete set of 50 Stories to Read Before You’re 5, click here.

Or visit this link to order parts of the collection based on your child’s age.

No matter which way you choose to take part in the collection, you will be creating an incredible library of fantastic books that you and your child will love and remember for a lifetime.

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