Being a grandparent is something special, and whether you already have grandchildren or are about to have them, you’re probably excited to spend time with them. But being a grandparent can also seem daunting. you may feel out of practice and won’t understand the world your little ones live in. maybe you’re not sure how to actually connect with them?
While it’s perfectly normal to feel this way, the good news is that there’s no one right way to be a great-grandparent. The key to spending quality time with your grandchildren is finding something you can share together. And what better way to spend time together than exploring different worlds and lives through reading? You may already know that reading for pleasure has some amazing benefits for adults, but did you know that reading can be a fantastic pastime for children?
You are reading: Books for grandma to read to grandchildren
benefits of reading for a child
When you read to and with your grandchildren, you are essentially giving them basic insights into their young world. this helps them make sense of what they see, hear and read in everyday life. in fact, reading to children has been shown to improve cognitive skills and aid throughout the process of cognitive development.
According to the reading agency, kids who read books often do better on math, vocabulary, and spelling tests at age 16 than those who read less often. You can help boost your grandchildren’s reading success by reading to them throughout infancy and early childhood.
On top of that, homes with more books are associated with reading enjoyment and confidence. of the children who have more than 200 books at home, 73% feel they are a “very confident” reader and only 12% do not like to read.
And while the benefits can be numerous, one of the key benefits of reading with your grandchildren is that it provides the opportunity to bond with them. so, what are you waiting for? start with one of our suggestions below and dive into a world of fun with your little one.
1. gangsta granny by david walliams
ben is bored beyond belief after he is forced to stay at his grandmother’s house. he’s the world’s most boring grandma: all he wants to do is play scrabble and eat cabbage soup. But there are two things Ben doesn’t know about his grandmother.
1) She was once an international jewel thief.
2) All his life he has been plotting to steal the crown jewels and now he needs the help of ben…
This much-loved story could be great for telling your grandkids that they don’t know everything about you, and you might have some adventure stories up your sleeve!
2. let’s go bear hunting by michael rosen
Go ahead and join in the family excitement as they walk through the grass, splash in the river, and splash through the mud in search of a bear. but what will await them in the cave on the other side of the dark forest?
Michael Rosen’s repetitive text has a musical charm that lends itself perfectly to reading aloud, this award-winning is a classic. Michael Ronsen’s prose has a musical charm that is perfect for singing with your grandchildren.
3. norton juster’s hello bye window
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the kitchen window in nanna and poppy’s house is, for a little girl, a magic door. everything important happens near him, through him or beyond him. Told in his voice, his story is both a journey of discovery and a celebration of the common wonders that define childhood. the world for this little girl will soon get bigger and more complex, but never more enchanting or deeper.
the hello, bye window is a great book to share with children who spend a lot of time with their grandparents. is a beautiful and moving book that uses fantastic illustrations to describe the bond between grandparents and grandchildren in a powerful way.
4. grandpa christmas by michael morpurgo
Each Christmas, Mia and her family read a letter her grandfather wrote to her. his letter is a warm, passionate and sincere wish for a better world for me to live in. he fondly recalls the times spent in her garden looking for frogs and worms and planting seeds.
But Grandpa is worried that all the things he loves so much are in danger…
This letter is a hopeful plea to me (and all of us) to continue to care for and protect our precious world.
Bestselling author Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Jim Field have teamed up to create this stunning and powerful book. grandpa christmas describes the touching and beautiful relationship that mia and her grandfather share. In addition, Mia’s grandfather uses his Christmas letter to teach Mia about the planet and his responsibility to take care of it.
5. every peach pear plum by janet ahlberg and allan ahlberg
Each beautifully illustrated page encourages young children to interact with the image to find the next fairytale and nursery rhyme character.
in this book
with your little eye,
take a look,
and play ‘I see’
This timeless book is great for younger children. the lyrical rhymes are a delight to read and each rhyme invites you to lose yourself in the gorgeous illustrations. kids and adults alike will love this book.
6. the queen’s hat by steve antony
A sudden gust of wind triggers a wonderful adventure in London for the queen, the queen’s men and a very special hat. so let’s follow a determined and reckless queen through the london zoo, over tower bridge and to big ben…where will that hat land?
This delightful book will take you and your little one on a fun adventure to all of London’s iconic landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Big Ben and London Zoo. its charming illustrations and easy-to-follow prose are sure to be a hit with kids.
7. goodnight moon by margaret wise brown
In a large green room, a little bunny is tucked up comfortably and securely in bed and prepares to say goodnight to all the familiar things in his room, one by one…
goodnight moon is a gentle bedtime story that has lulled generations of children to sleep. Soft, comforting rhymes and stunning illustrations make Goodnight Moon a fantastic book to read to your grandchildren at bedtime.
8. how to care for a grandpa by jean reagan
When your grandpa rings the bell, it’s time to babysit! This is a hilarious and accessible picture book about a boy who spends time with his grandfather…
This wonderful book is written in an instructional style. the narrator gives important tips for ‘taking care’ of a grandpa, including what to eat for a snack, what to do on a walk, and how to play with a grandpa. is a playful delight that offers plenty of inspiration for grandchildren to spend time with their grandparents.
9. perfectly norman by tom percival
Norman had always been perfectly normal. That was until the day he grew a pair of wings!
Norman is very surprised to suddenly have wings, and has a lot of fun trying them out high in the sky. but then he has to go in for dinner. What will his parents think of him? what will others think? Norman feels that the safest plan is to cover his wings with a large coat.
but hiding what makes you different is complicated and annoying. Could Norman really be himself?
perfectly norman is a moving story about what it can feel like to be different and how to cope with those emotions. is a great book to help teach your grandchildren about self-acceptance, self-love, and the importance of being yourself.
10. the very hungry caterpillar by eric carle
in the light of the moon a little egg was laid on a leaf…
We couldn’t get to the end without including this iconic storybook. This simple and hopeful story is probably one of Britain’s most widely read children’s books. and it’s for good reason. Eric Carle’s vivid and colorful illustrations are sure to inspire little readers for years to come.
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