Saturday, February 16, 2008

You're Never Too Young To Read A Good Book


The other day I was babysitting my year old grandson Gabriel. He is the smartest baby in the world just as all grandchildren are. His parents are smart too because they began introducing him to books when he was six months old. They let him touch and feel the books and of course read to him. Now when he sees one of his books he gets very excited. When I gave him his favorite picture book of the alphabet he grabbed it with both hands and began to “read” it. This kid will always be entertained by books, thanks to an early start.

This brings me to point out there is a huge market for writers and illustrators who wish to write for children of pre-preschool ages. It is so important to shape a child’s mind in a positive and caring way. You may think it would be simple to write “See Spot run” or words to that affect but children’s attention spans are short and the type of words used in toddler’s books need to be effective and descriptive. In today’s world it is not just learning to read the words it is about learning to describe them.

Writing for children is a multi faceted specialty because of the wide range of age groups and subject matter. Would you like to become a Children’s writer and play an important role in a child’s life? Join the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club as I did and begin to learn from writing coach and founder, Suzanne Lieurance, and authors like Margot Finke and Lila Guzman.
Write it down,
Carma

6 comments:

  1. When my wife was pregnant with our daughter I immediately responded by sitting down and writing a children's book. What with one thing and another she was seventeen before I actually sat down and read it to her as a bedtime story. I still have a copy on orange foolscap paper would you believe? One of these days I really should get in onto a computer. I can't say it was particularly hard to write but I'm sure she got more out of it at seventeen than she ever would have as a little girl.

    What is interesting is that the outline to the kid's book is pretty much the outline to my first adult novel only rather than a grumpy old bookseller I have a grumpy old mole instead. I always enjoy reading the opening to that book: "Henry Martin Mole was a mole which is a useful thing to be with a name like Henry Martin Mole." Everything goes downhill from there.

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  2. I think it is time to introduce Henry Martin Mole. Sounds like it would have a good sense of humor. Children love to laugh. For that matter so do adults. They just don't do it as often.

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Carma; Your grandson is not only smart,but cute! Preschool is a wonderful age. I loved teaching it and loved those years with my own children. My devotional/memoir book is a testament to how much I treasured those times. I hope you are able to share much time with Gabriel.

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  4. Thanks Etta. Sometimes as parents we (meaning me) don't appreciate the beauty of preschool age because we are trying to shape, teach and mold and often don't get too much time to enjoy. Grandchildren help to give us the enjoyment of that time.

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  5. He is a cute child..It sounds great to know that he can read at this age.I can give a helping hand to him.I wanted to read fast.To improve my vocabulary skills,and i did it in just a month.Today i can challange any one to have a fast reading competition.
    all the best,
    james

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  6. Hi James,
    I think it is possible for a child to recognize a letter or word before they can speak. Their little minds are recording everything.

    Thanks for your comment.

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