This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Candlewick Press.

As a child, some of the moments I remember most is being able to share my favorite books over and over with my parents. Even as I grew older, and discovered more YA books and even the classics if I knew that it was something my parents read and loved, it was a book that I made sure to read (oftentimes repeatedly), so that I could discuss it with them. It became a great way to bond with my parents, in a way that I never fully appreciated until I started having my own children.

​​​​​​​With our own children, we love watching them get excited about new books. Watching our teen even fawn over the lastest YA novel about to hit the shelves means that on release day, it can be something special or exciting we do as a father and daughter.

For my younger girls and my son, seeing the books that they become attached to and request for me to read over an over again, brings back memories I’ve had as a child when I first discovered how much I love books.
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​​​​​​​We have so many books in our home (over 500 to be exact) that there are a lot of books that we have read so many times that I can recite it word for word. While it has been something I have grown to love (watching the girl’s faces light up knowing that I can tell them what’s on the page before turning it always brings a smile to my face), I also recognize just how beneficial it is overall for all of our kids.

What we are reading

I enjoy picking up new books to share with the kids, and books that allow us to interact with one another as a family. Check out a few of our new family favorites, plus find out why it’s perfectly fine to read the same book over again.

Malamander

Getting our son to read has been an arduous task. I would be remiss if I didn’t admit to that. However, finding books that we can really dive into together, has been a great way for us to bond and help to grow his love of reading.

Published by Walker Books, Malamander is a quirky, creepy fantasy set in Eerie-on-Sea; with a colorful cast of characters in hot pursuit of a sea monster. This has been the perfect book for Andrew. It’s a YA novel great for ages 8-12, and it’s fun watching kids chase after a town legend (something that I could see my son doing in real life). It’s a lighthearted, fantastical mystery that features black-and-white spot illustrations, kicks off a trilogy of fantasies set in the seaside town. If your child is a Lemoney Snicket fan, this is a perfect read!

Just Because

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This has turned into a nightly favorite with my girls. Curious minds need to have that curiosity peaked with fun books! This fantastical bedtime book by Mac Barnett and Isabelle Arsenault, answers every question that my kids have asked us over and over!

Why is the ocean blue? What is rain? What happened to the dinosaurs?

The colorful, retro-style art with a 50s feel complements the playful text, while the detailed illustrations encourage my kids (and yours) to use those active imaginations of theirs!

Any child who has ever asked “Why?” — and any parent who has
attempted an explanation — will recognize themselves in this sweet
storybook for dreamers who are looking for answers beyond “Just
because.”

Where’s Waldo Double Trouble at the Museum

Where’s Waldo is a classic. Some of my favorite memories are spending hours looking for him in the sea of tricky photos.

Now I get to find Waldo with my girls as he is wandering through the museum, where there are some devilishly difficult differences to decipher!

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Vocabulary

Hearing a story once is a great experience both educationally and otherwise. Being exposed to the same vocabulary words that are difficult for young readers is often easily dismissed in books that are read just once or infrequently.  However, if you read the book over and over again, they began to gain an understanding of the vocabulary words is increased and the repetition.

Increases Reading Comprehension

Each time the book is read the child is able not only to remember it better but they also gain a clear perspective of such things as cause and effect, sequencing, plot structure and more.

Confidence With Books

There is a confidence that comes with getting to know books on a more personal level.  Our 5-year-old is an at a pre-reader level and loves to read stories on her own. Even if she doesn’t “recognize” the word, she is able to use her muscle memory to actually decode some of the words on her own

Familiar Books are Comforting

Storytimes are fantastic bonding experiences for parents and their kids. I love seeing how my girls light up when we read some of their favorite books. When times get stressful or there has been a lot of change in a young child’s life, the familiarity and constant nature of a well-loved book.

Fosters a Love of Books

Simply put, taking the same adventures over and over, helps to foster a love of books, and motivates kids to want to seek out even more “adventures.”  It’s a beautiful and wonderful cycle that I don’t think anyone has ever had the desire to break.