As we prepare to launch of the fifth and final book in the Willow the Wonderer series, we are going back to the key insight that got us started on this work: The understanding that stories we grow up with, matter.
Yes, picture books are great for children - of all ages - who are still learning to read or having some difficulties mastering the skill. Picture books have a low overall word count of between 500 to 1000 words, spread over 26-32 pages. This makes it possible for even beginners to work their way through the entire book in one sitting, which great for boosting their confidence in reading. Willow the Wonderer picture books are especially helpful for learning to read as they are written in rhyme. This teaches young children a critical skills in reading - phonics, the sounds combination of letters make. The illustrations in picture books also help children step away from the difficult task of deciphering alphabets and sounds to appreciating something that comes naturally to all humans - Art. Illustrations aid not only with comprehension but can also help kids guess unfamiliar words. This again, is…
There are some common questions about reading and picture books that keeps coming our way - so we thought why not have a FAQ to save everyone the trouble. When you get a moment, have a look through our new FAQ collection of blogs - we had to write a blog because even seemingly simple question like age recommendation require nuance. If you have expertise in a particular area and want to provide additional perspective to add to any of these questions (e.g. questions around reading) feel free to leave a comment in the blog.
Our motto is that "it's never too early to plant seeds of wisdom" - and this has to be a new record!
We are chuffed to be supporting the month long #readathon at the Royal Hospital for Women's Newborn Care Centre in Randwick, where they care for sick and premature babies from all over the state.
#Reading helps with brain development even at that tender stage - and is something parents are actively encouraged to do.
Shoutout to RN Jane Healy for helping source the books for her families - no doubt in her own time. Wishing a lifetime of wonder, wisdom & joy for your little charges.
