Guide for Dads: Don’t Forget the Illustrations

I think that I still have it in my heart someday to paint a bookshop
With the front yellow and pink in the evening…
Like a light in the midst of darkness. – Vincent Van Gogh

 

A picture is worth a thousand words

 

Many children’s books have illustrations of many kinds. These are great for boosting understanding and enjoyment. Let’s not pay so much attention to the words that we forget the illustrations. Dads

can point out significant and interesting features in the illustrations and encourage children to do the same.

 

There are many things you can do to add fun and excitement regarding the illustrations:

• cover the words of an upcoming page, and have the children try to guess what happens
  
  


• ask the children which is their favorite illustration of all the illustrations in the book

Dad reminder: You can start to read to your kids at ANY age. It’s fun for the kids and dad. It really is a dad duty!

 

– George Jacobs, Ph.D. and Wan Loh Inn, Ed.D.

 

Dr. George Jacobs, Ph.D. and Dr. Wan Loh Inn, Ed.D. are the authors of many books (including “The Read Aloud Guide”, textbooks for teachers and students, curriculum guides, and children’s

storybooks).

 

Find out more about reading aloud to your kids.