The love of reading is one of the most influential gifts we can give children. Teaching children to read is vital but they must also learn to love books and know its importance.
Children whose families read together enter kindergarten with measurably stronger language skills, which makes them more likely to succeed throughout their school years.
Here are some books we can read to children as they grow up, feel free to suggest more children books written by African/Nigerian authors.
Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe
Chike and the River is a children's story by Chinua Achebe. It was first published in 1966 by Cambridge University Press, with illustrations by Prue Theobalds.
It is the story of a Nigerian boy called Chike who leaves his village, Umuofia, to go and stay with his uncle in the big city of Onitsha. The New York Journal of Books says: "In Chike and the River, young readers get an intimate look at African life, learn about the Niger River, and connect with Chike as if he is their own sibling
Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne
Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by A. A. Milne. It is one of the best stories to narrate to children because in the book Pooh is occasionally acknowledged to have a clever idea, usually driven by common sense. These include riding in Christopher Robin's umbrella to rescue Piglet from a flood, discovering "the North Pole" by picking it up to help fish Roo out of the river, inventing the game of Poohsticks, and getting Eeyore out of the river by dropping a large rock on one side of him to wash him towards the bank.
Matilda by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake
This modern fairy-tale with a brilliantly inspiring young heroine tells the story of Matilda who is not yet five years old and who reads a lot of books. Full of magic and mischief, children will love witnessing Matilda pit her strength, courage and cool intelligence against the nasty and spiteful adults in her life, and ultimately coming out on top.
Charlotte’s Web by E B White
Charlotte's Web is a children's novel by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. Written in White's dry, low-key manner, Charlotte's Web is considered a classic of children's literature, enjoyable to adults as well as children.
The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé Egmont
This book is also very good for children as it documents resourceful junior reporter Tintin as he embark on a series of exciting international adventures, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy.