The meaning of giving a picture book for Christmas
Create family memories
Giving picture books for Christmas is really wonderful. Every year at home, I unwrap the gift and start reading it with my child, excitedly asking, "What kind of book is it?" Every time I turn the page, my child's eyes sparkle. Reading picture books is an important time to deepen family bonds beyond just reading aloud. And when I pick up the picture book again a few years later, I can remember the smile of the child who enjoyed it, saying, "Mom, you cried on this page."
The ability to develop sensitivity and imagination
Picture books have the power to develop children's sensitivity. By meeting various characters and experiencing various emotions in the story, empathy and imagination naturally develop. For example, when I come across a slightly sad scene in a picture book, I am amazed at the sight of my child gently saying, "This character is crying." Even adults are impressed, the power of picture books.
Educational Benefits of Picture Books
And picture books also have many educational benefits. While enjoying the rhythm and sound of words, you will naturally learn words. You can also learn basic knowledge such as numbers, colors, and shapes through drawings. In fact, my child said, "This is red!" and "It's round!" When I see how confidently they teach me, I realize that the power of picture books cannot be underestimated.
Giving a picture book for Christmas is not just a gift; It's a great opportunity to create family memories, develop your child's sensitivity, and build an educational foundation.
Popular picture book genres for preschoolers
The magic of picture books
One of the picture books that is perfect for preschoolers is "Shikake picture book". The children's interest is endless in the characters that pop out every time they turn the page, and the gimmicks that make a sound when pressed. Sometimes I can't stop saying, "Hey, Mom, do it again!" It's perfect for tickling children's curiosity and fostering their imagination. For example, when you open a page, the Christmas tree is lit up gorgeously, and your favorite Santa jumps out. My child's eyes sparkle, and I can't help but feel warm too.
A story that makes you cry resonates with your heart
Because they are children, when they encounter a story that touches their hearts, they are moved by their pure feelings. In particular, stories about the love of family and friends resonate with small hearts. A story that makes you cry, and sometimes a mother who calls out, "What's wrong?" sheds tears together. Such warm moments make the bond between parents and children stronger. For Christmas, why not choose a picture book that is especially full of love and compassion and share an emotional time together?
A fun story with animals as the main characters
After all, what children love is fun stories featuring animals. Because the movements and expressions of those humorous animals will instantly captivate everyone. While saying, "This bear seems to be taking a nap!" and enjoying time with your child. The stories of animal adventures and friendship will always bring a smile to children's faces. At Christmas, it is a good idea to go on a small adventure with picture books featuring familiar animals.
Points to consider when choosing a picture book
Choose age-appropriate content
When choosing a picture book, the first thing you want to think about is the content that is appropriate for your age. For 2-year-olds, it is best to have a simple and easy-to-understand story. When it comes to 5-year-olds, they are often interested in even longer stories. For example, the "Anpanman" series is popular with a wide range of age groups. It's also an ant to trust your intuition that "Oh, even my child can read this!"
Check out the charm of illustrations
The next thing I'm interested in is the illustrations. Picture books are not only stories, but also colorful and fun illustrations that keep children hooked. In particular, children are immediately drawn in if the colors are rich or the characters are expressive. "Wow! I want a little of this!" And parents may get hooked first! ?
Adapt to your child's interests
Finally, this is important! It is really important to choose a theme that your child is interested in. If you give them picture books related to their favorite things, they will suddenly like reading. My child loves dinosaurs, so I collect only things that feature dinosaurs. They point out mistakes by saying, "This is Triceratops!", so if you don't study this too, you will lose (laughs).
Please take a little time to choose a picture book for your children's smiles. I hope you can find a Christmas gift that will make you smile!
Recommended! MY STELLA's picture book experience
The excitement of my child becoming the main character
The moment my child says, "Mom, this picture book is about me!" with a twinkle in her eye, my heart as a mother flutters. Mystera's picture books provide such a special experience. Your name and your favorite things appear in the story, so you feel like you're the protagonist of an adventure. When I read this, I can't stop smiling! As one of the memorable gifts, it's perfect for Christmas.
How to enjoy reading
A wonderful time to read picture books and connect the hearts of parents and children. Also, if you read it with a little acting, it will be even more fun. When you change your voice or add sounds, your child will be drawn into the story with their eyes shining. My child is also excitedly waiting every time, saying, "What kind of voice will you hear next?" Even if you are a mom who doesn't usually have much time, just a few minutes a day for picture books is enough. But those few minutes will be an important moment that will remain in your child's memory.
Parent-child time through picture books
Parent-child time is really a treasure, isn't it? It's easy to forget in our busy lives, but communication through picture books reminds us of its importance. For example, one of the pleasures is to talk about the story together after reading a picture book or think about the continuation of the story. And it is also a special time to choose the next picture book while saying to each other, "What kind of story should we talk about today?" The parent-child time created by having picture books is really wonderful.
How to choose a picture book that fits your budget
Wallet-friendly options
As a mom and dad raising children, you may be concerned about the budget for Christmas gifts. Picture books are full of wallet-friendly options! Especially popular works in libraries and resale editions of classic picture books are affordable. And above all, even affordable picture books enrich children's imagination and sensibilities. The important thing is that children are happy to read. When I see a happy face saying, "Is this Anpanman?", I think that the price has nothing to do with that satisfaction.
The value of expensive picture books
On the other hand, expensive picture books are also an option that you may want to consider sometimes. The luxurious binding with a special feeling and the limited edition produced in limited quantities will create a special time for parents and children every time they touch it. When my child was surprised when he saw the MY STELLA picture book with his name on it, his eyes sparkled and he was overjoyed, saying, "This is my story!" After all, I think there is an irreplaceable value in this impression. For a special day, you might want to choose such a book.
Use Deals and Discounts Wisely
Finally, one way to choose a picture book is to use sales and discounts wisely. Online stores and large bookstores can occasionally find picture books with significantly reduced prices. It's important to take advantage of this timing and get a good deal! I can't believe I just take out my wallet and say, "Is it really so cheap!?" That's the beginning of mass buying, and sometimes my dad scolds me a little. Such failures are also one of the pleasures of choosing a picture book.
For grandparents thinking about picture book gifts for grandchildren
How to choose a picture book that your grandchildren will love
Giving a picture book to your grandson as a gift is a wonderful gift. But sometimes you may be worried about how to choose. The first important thing is to match your grandchildren's interests. If your child loves animals, vehicles, and adventure stories, try choosing one that matches their theme. The picture is colorful and the story is fun, and it captures the little heart in an instant.
Tips for bonding with your grandchildren
To deepen your bond with your grandchildren through picture books, please cherish the time you spend reading together. Don't just read, change your tone of voice and exaggerate your reactions. Spending time with your grandchildren like this may be a little "theater moment". If surprises and laughter await you on each page, your grandchildren's smiles will naturally increase.
A work that can be enjoyed across generations
Finally, it may be a good idea to choose a picture book that can be enjoyed together with parents, children, and grandparents across generations. It's also nice to enjoy the nostalgic works you used to read in the past with your grandchildren. By saying, "I read this even when my grandfather and grandmother were little," a warm time that connects generations is created. We also recommend a new picture book like MY STELLA, where the child is the main character. The sight of my grandson's eyes shining as he says, "Is this me?" will surely warm your heart.
Christmas stories that can be learned through picture books
Learn about the adventures of Santa Claus in "Santa of Samugariya"
Speaking of Christmas, it's Santa Claus. Raymond Briggs' "Santa in Samugariya" is an adorable picture book that depicts the unknown side of Santa. "Why is Santa dressed in red?" "Can you really travel around the world in one night?" You can have fun answering such questions through picture books. In my house, I love the way I read Santa's struggles as excitedly as if it were my own.
Po Chip
A story that fosters cross-cultural understanding
Christmas is celebrated all over the world, but its style varies from country to region. Christmas picture books that give you a sense of different cultures are a wonderful opportunity to broaden children's horizons. For example, there are stories that feature many characters other than Santa, such as Sweden's "Jürtomte" and the Dutch "Sinterklaas". Reading these picture books tickles children's curiosity, saying, "There are such interesting ways to celebrate in the world!"
Po Chip
Lessons from Christmas
Christmas is not only a long-awaited gift, but also an important time to bond with family and friends. Picture books filled with such lessons unique to Christmas are treasures for children. For example, stories that gently solve the question "What is compassion?" and picture books that depict "the joy of sharing important things" will give you new insights every time you read them. Even in my house, after reading it, I talk about "Who did you show compassion to today?" and a mischievous laugh is born. Such small accumulations in the family nurture children's hearts.
Happy reading! Classic Christmas picture book
"Gurito Gura's Okyaku-sama" A work that makes you want to read it again and again
As Christmas approaches, "Christmas picture book time" begins every night in our house. Every time you turn a small page, the excitement spreads. Among them, the one that makes you want to read it again and again is "Gurito Gura's Okyaku-sama". The adventure of the two dogs following the mysterious footprints in the forest will draw the children in. In the scene where Santa appears at the end, there is a new discovery every time, and every time I read it, the parent and child confirm that they have read this before, right? No, I'm still having fun.
Po Chip
"The Nutcracker" is a long-selling that continues to be loved
Picture books that have been loved for a long time are different after all. A typical example is "The Nutcracker". This story is full of dreams, magic, and courage, and every time I read it, my heart warms. Especially during the Christmas season, enjoying the adventure of the nutcracker in your room is a blissful time. The little ones are excited to go on an adventure with the main character. And even as adults, we can't help but feel warm, saying, "Oh, this story is wonderful after all."
Po Chip
Christmas in the world through "Christmas ghosts" picture books
If you want to show your children various Christmas appearances, we recommend "Christmas Ghost" (by Keiko Sena). The ghost children are also depicted enjoying Christmas, which makes you feel warm and warm. Also, if you want to know about Christmas in various countries around the world, we recommend looking for picture books that introduce the Christmas culture of each country in libraries. You can learn about the unique Christmas celebrations of each region, and the children will also shine with the differences.
Po Chip
Special feature on popular picture books in kindergartens and nursery schools
"Kingyo Gani Geta" and "Gurito Gura" Recommended picture books selected by teachers
Picture books selected by kindergarten and nursery school teachers are reliable because they are selected based on the children's reactions. "Kingyo Gani Geta" and "Gurito Gura" are classics among the classics, but they have a magical power that makes you want to read them over and over again. Teachers often use it, but it has a great ability to bring out the lively expressions of children. "Nijiiro no Sakana" is also a recommended book because you can naturally learn the importance of sharing.
Po Chip
Po Chip
"Momotaro" and "Sarukani Battle" old stories that become a hot topic among children
Everyone loves old stories such as "Momotaro" and "Sarukani Battle", which are secretly talked about among children. When I come home from the kindergarten, my child also happily talks about his friends and their stories. "Momotaro" is a story about going on a journey with courage and cooperating with friends, and I guess it tickles the adventurous spirit in children's hearts. And in "Sarukani Battle", it seems that the lesson of what you do is returned properly and is dramatic and memorable.
Po Chip
Po Chip
"Cabbage-kun" and "Kaiketsu Zorori" picture books that can be enjoyed by the group
The "Cabbage-kun" and "Kaiketsu Zorori" series, which echo laughter in the story, are read in front of a large number of people, and everyone will enjoy it. Laughing with your friends is the best. "Cabbage-kun" has a lot of characters who are a little blurry! Every time I turn the page, I can't stop being excited, "What will happen next?" In addition, "Kaiketsu Zorori" has a series of unexpected developments, so you can guess the next page and develop children's imagination.
Po Chip
Po Chip
This summary and for the next Christmas
Reconfirm the points for choosing picture books
When choosing a picture book, sometimes you get lost. Let's get to the bottom first. By choosing themes and characters that children are likely to be interested in, you can add a little excitement to your daily life. Also, it is best if the illustrations are attractive and the story can be understood by children. If you can feel the growth together through reading to the story, both mom and dad will be happy.
Preparing for the next Christmas
Christmas comes every year, and you want to prepare a new surprise every time. It's even more fun to add a little surprise when giving a picture book as a gift. For example, how about sandwiching a handmade bookmark in a picture book? By researching your child's interests in advance, it is also fun to enjoy wrapping while excitedly asking, "Will you be happy with this picture book?" Next Christmas, I would like to prepare a heartfelt gift with this kind of ingenuity.
Tips for parents and children to have fun
When reading a picture book, it's a waste to just read it! After reading, you can discuss your impressions with your child and play to recreate your favorite scenes, which will further enrich your sharing time. It is also recommended to enjoy improvisational plays, such as giving voice to characters in picture books. It's completely OK if you fail! Parent-child time laughing is sure to be the best Christmas gift. It is in casual moments that the seeds of happiness lurk.
I hope you can spend Christmas next Christmas with the smiling smiles of your children. When I see such a smile, I think, "I'm glad I did my best," so my parents' hard work is rewarded! Let's weave a wonderful story again with Mystera's picture book.
