Cultivating Little Readers

One of the best decisions I had made recently was to include a three-tier bookshelf in the middle of our living room, so the books are easily accessible and reachable by the 2 Bees. The girls will also decorate the top of the bookshelf with their craftwork, so they are constantly surrounded by things they had created themselves, hopefully, giving them the liberty of self empowerment. Yes, it may make our living room look more cluttered and messy, but I definitely think it is highly worthwhile.

I was just sitting aside this morning, looking at how both of them now make the bookshelf the centrestage of their activities in the living room, and my heart warmed at the fact that soon, they can share those literary treasures that so delight my being constantly. 

The top shelf belongs to Big Bee who personally displays her favourite books - her addictive series of Enid Blyton and Rainbow Magic books. 

Big Bee's favourite Enid Blyton book which is a compilation of many short stories - she has 21 Enid Blyton books, largely thanks to my Dad who had been supplying her with these! 

Big Bee's favourite Rainbow Magic book - she has 20 books from this enchanting series! 

She was the one who first arranged her books on the empty shelf, and I would see her constantly fluttering around her bookshelf, tidying and arranging the books in the most logical of forms! And whenever she has any free moment, her first inclination would be to go to the bookshelf and pick out some books to read. 

The second shelf consists of mainly books that are suitable for Little Bee - preschool picture books and Ladybird series. Whenever she sees jie-jie poring over her books, she would take a few books out to browse as well. This morning, I saw her perusing over a few books in utmost concentration. Her favourite books are now the "Let's Visit" series from Robin, and she can flip through the pages in absolute silence, giving me a good respite. 

Little Bee's favourite series of books - do I foresee a future intrepid traveller? 

The lowest shelf contains bigger books pertaining to general knowledge and large picture books, and these are generally for me to read to them whenever we are in the mood for a cosy read-together session. 

I love this bookshelf, and from the way the Bees were fussing over it everyday, I think they do too!