Children's
literature is a valuable and beautiful part of childhood. Although
modern children's books written today are not exactly like the
stories you read as a child, there are many classics that every
generation enjoys. Because quality children's literature is a
purposeful and meaningful educational tool, one of the greatest gifts
you can give your child is a home atmosphere that encourages and
values reading from a wide range of genres, authors, and
illustrators, past and present.
There
are several key ways that quality children’s literature benefits
your child: it teaches mature vocabulary, brings history to life, and
stimulates and expands your child’s imagination.
Gaining
New Vocabulary
Children
who read classic literature develop their abilities to absorb mature
vocabulary and to learn subtle differences in synonyms, a skill that
is not easily taught from a memorized vocabulary list or SAT
preparatory course. Classic children’s literature contains a wealth
of good words and enables children to experience words in profound
and complex ways and within a multitude of contexts.
Introducing
children and young adults to mature vocabulary from a young age is
the only real way to teach SAT vocabulary, not by late catch-up
memorization of mass produced word lists, but through a child's
inundation in a beloved work of art. And not only does quality
children’s literature help develop your child’s vocabulary, but
historical literature is also the best way to bring history to life.
Bringing
History to Life
Nothing
brings history to life better than reading quality children’s
literature about what life was like during a particular time period.
Although the facts learned in textbooks are very important, your
child more easily grasps a true understanding of the life and
hardships of a time period through a historical character’s
dilemmas, thoughts and feelings.
Children
tend to easily forget facts and details learned strictly from
textbooks, while they are apt to remember an engaging story and
history learned through immersion in literature. An understanding of
history is an important part of your child’s education and the use
of historical children’s literature in addition to textbook
learning is essential.
Developing
a Child’s Imagination
Quality
children's literature not only develops vocabulary and an
understanding of history, it encourages a child’s imagination.
Some of the best examples are the books that both you and your child
find engaging -- a story that appeals to a deeper, universal aspect
of imagination and human nature. Quality children’s literature is a
great way to spark creative thinking.
But
out of the many thousands of books available to your child, how do
you find the books that have a memorable story or bring history
alive? Let Bethlehem Books guide you to the best in literature for
your family. From timeless classics and living history to adventure
stories and read-aloud favorites, a wealth of wholesome children’s
literature is available at Bethlehem Books.
Bethlehem
Books is a publisher dedicated to putting good literature into
children's hands by re-printing quality books from the earlier part
of the 20th century. Their many titles, which include historical
fiction, biographies, adventure and family stories, help young people
expand their imagination and understand the past.
At
the click of a mouse, you can make great literature a lasting part of
your child's life and education. To learn more about Bethlehem Books
and the quality children’s literature that they offer, visit
www.bethlehembooks.com