Join us every Wednesday in July and August and learn about the Decoda staff’s summer reading picks. Today Natasha Loh, Decoda’s Office Administrator, is sharing some read alouds she enjoys with her preschooler.

Part of being a bookworm and a parent is instilling that love of reading in my own child. Since my son was young I have been keen to incorporate many of my childhood favourites into our nightly roster. I’m happy to say that many of my childhood favourites are now my son’s favorites as well. It brings me the utmost delight to know he’s soaking in the same details from the story and pictures that I once was.

Here is a list of what we’ve been snuggling up to every night and why we love them:

Doctor DeSoto by William Steig
A mouse dentist and his cunning fox patient make for a thrilling plot. The story’s ending has us both in stitches of laughter some nights and it’s a book that’s on repeat in this household.

There’s a Nightmare in my Closet by Mercer Mayer
The perfect book to end the day and prepare for sleep. Bedtimes can be challenging with toddlers who are afraid of the dark but books like this make it all the more easier to help with the fear and anxiety of being alone. 

Tuesday by David Wiesner
This was recommended to me by a librarian when I was young and I remember being enthralled with the photos. As this is a wordless book I will often encourage my son to use his own words to read it to me.  It’s amazing what details an image can yield and we will be on the lookout for more wordless books!

The Friends of Emily Culpepper by Ann Coleridge
This charming story of a little old lady and the company she keeps is one we always enjoy. The images by Roland Harvey are both whimsical and a delight to soak in.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
We all have bad days and this book is a reminder that bad days exist and that’s okay. This book is a great way to discuss the highs and lows of the day with the optimism that tomorrow will be a better day.

Stone Soup  by Ann Mcgovern
We love how bit by bit the stone and hot water turn into a delicious soup with the addition of more and more things. A delightful read at the lunch table over a piping hot bowl of soup.