Self study of bookshops

When my confinement lady went back after 5 weeks and I took over the total caring for Ian, I started chatting to him about everything, something which is encouraged by the "experts". When Ian was 2-3 months old, I elevated the chatting to reading, not those one word per page type of cloth book, but actual storybooks that has a simple narrative and a value I agree with. I just held the simple belief that is not supported by any "experts" that my son would understand.

This initiative sent me to the bookshops frequently to look for worthy books. I have always been careful about books - I believe reading has the power to influence one's thinking. I once threw away a new novel that I had finished reading because I found the theme to be blasphemous. I would rather throw it away than give the poison to someone else. So yes, I take an extreme side to reading material.

I have some finds along the way and these are some sharings:

1. Page One bookshop, at Vivocity
This place - particularly the children's section - is a new discovery for me. I was searching for some presents and was stuck there for an hour because there's so much variety! I was carrying a heavy and asleep Ian in my sarong so I couldn't bend to rummage as much as I want, but suffice to say I found something for almost all the kids on my list. There's a whole cabinet of Dr Seuss, half a cabinet of Eric Carle (of The Hungry Caterpillar), some nicely presented displays that has books and activity sets, alot more collection of Famous Five series. Save for Kinokuniya, whose kids' section I haven't explored, Page One has the most extensive collection by far. There is also a quiet corner for kids to sit and read, that is not as crowded as Borders'. This place, top of my list of bookshops.

2. Dr Seuss collection
I never really remembered reading Dr Seuss when I was a child, although I do remember strange titles like Green Eggs and Ham. It was only when I did my mummy shopping that I found the range of Dr Seuss books in Borders. True, some are quite commercialised, like their mini board-flap books edited for babies (which Ian loves). The beauty of Dr Seuss I find is the out of this world stories being told in rhyme. I believe having this combination makes the language fun, thereby helping the child enjoy the reading as well.

I have about 5 Dr Seuss' collection of books, ranging from the simple flap ones to the actual stories. The latter I had read to Ian before, but he will only stay with me if he's in the reading mood. Will wait till he's much older before I get him to tongue-twist with me.

3. Emily Lim the author
She is one author I stumbled upon in my first search for good books. I wanted to give local authors a chance and I remember after reading the first one, I wanted to get ALL the children's books by her. She has a few titles:

i. Prince Bear & Pauper Bear,
ii. Bunny Finds the Right Stuff,
iii. Just Teddy,
iv. The Tale of Rusty Horse.

i and ii are top of my list of great children's books. The tone of the stories are innocent and direct, yet not frivolous even as the themes of friendship, belonging, faithfulness and love are played out by its characters. Emily herself is one special person, as you would find out....

4. Obama's children's book: Of Thee I Sing
I'm not a fan, really. But his book is actually a letter to his daughters that is supposed to be the most important things he wants them to know. Something along the lines of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. The illustrations are excellent, and I like the way he preaches about diversity, which I think is as important to America as it is to multi-racial Singapore, and for that matter, to every human being since we are different in our own ways. Plus the name-dropping will pique the child's interest to know more. And who wouldn't want your child asking about Albert Einstein or Martin Luther King, Jr?

I will be visiting Kinokuniya, will return for a review on them.