Top 11 children’s picture books

& why reading is so important.

Elizabeth Webster
2 min readAug 22, 2024
Photo by Haberdoedas on Unsplash

Having worked in the children’s department in a Book shop. I love children’s books. And whenever I know someone who announces their pregnancy, they will inevitably be given a picture book.

But why is reading so important when children are so young?

Numerous studies have shown that reading to and with young children helps them to develop their language skills, numeracy skills, relationships, their emotional intelligence, it gives them a chance to learn about animals, cultures and things they wouldn’t otherwise come across in their everyday lives.

The benefits of reading with young children do not only show in a child’s early years but continue to show into adulthood. Children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age grow up not to view reading as a chore and therefore consistently gain higher grades and will potentially achieve more throughout their lives. Children who learn to enjoy reading at a young age, are much more likely to become lifelong learners and globally aware, open-minded citizens of the world.

Not only this but the benefits of books continue to show, and picture books are an amazing way to light up young children’s imaginations.

One of my favourite quotes…

--

--

Elizabeth Webster

I am a Londoner and a traveller, a lover of history, events, midwifery, art and everything this wonderful world has to offer.