“Hi! I am Hama-Guri and this is my friend Ma-Door. We are your friends now. Aren’t we Ma-Door?”

As I read these lines, I saw my little girl’s face light up. The look that told me to continue and fill her in with more details of Hama-Guri. Reading out a story aloud to a child is one of the best things in life. As enjoyable as it is to the child, it is equally a pleasure for the parent.

For the past month, my 6 year old has immersed herself in the world of Hama-Guri. I was fortunate to receive a reviewer’s copy of the e-book “Hama- Guri Goes to School, Children’s stories, written by Aditi Bose and published by Cresco”. The book has opened up a whole new world for my 6 year old. The Hama-Guri series of stories is all about a 6 year old boy, and his take on his life’s matters. From how he overcomes his feelings on having lost a competition, to his earning pocket money, Hama-Guri has helped my little one cope with her own problems and fears. The book is brilliantly written, in a way my 6-year old would understand, She now looks at everything from the eyes of Hama-Guri. 

Although she is just learning to  read text fluently, she spends time every day looking at books and catching on key expressions. She recites lines she has memorized from the many times I have read them aloud to her. And sometimes she makes up her own tale of Hama-Guri.

Reading out aloud for your child is an important activity. They are the building blocks not only to improve their literary skills but also, their imagination, their hearing skills and their ability to sit patiently and wonder about what would happen next. Books can be a child’s best friend and can be a pleasure to them all their lives.

If you are a parent:

• Make story time a routine, even if it is for a few minutes.
• Try to show your child that you enjoy reading and you think it is important.
• Have books around the house.
• If you have more than one child you can also read or tell stories that they all like together, e.g. family favourites or stories about your own childhood.
• Encourage grandparents to tell stories about when they were young. Story time builds good relationships.
• Find toys or puppets that are like the people in your child’s favourite story to encourage her to remember and play out the story.

A love of reading is one of the best and most lasting gifts that you can give to your children.