The month of April begins and brings two great events to encourage reading, to get children hooked on this habit and the perfect excuse to organise a fun activity around stories and books. Today we are going to remember the importance of encouraging reading with a small selection of essential books that should be read during childhood.

April 23rd is International Book Day, but before that, on April 2nd, we celebrate the International Children's and Young People's Literature Day. A very special day for all children's literature lovers. The event was established in 1967 by the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY) as a way to draw attention to how important books are for our children, to highlight how literature can help us to enhance our imagination, empathy, creativity, language... something interesting at any age, but especially important in the early stages of development.

For the publishing industry, children from 6 to 9 years of age are one of the pillars as we work together in schools and at home to encourage reading. Proof of this is that 83.7% read books in addition to textbooks. According to data from the recent Barometer of Reading Habits and Book Purchasing in Spain, with figures from 2022, 85.3% of children between the ages of 6 and 9 read frequently, and children between the ages of 10 and 14 and between 15 and 18 have the highest percentages of readers in the whole country.

In our schools we organise the classic Globeducate Reads activities, a simple but effective initiative that really encourages children to spend time reading and promotes reading for pleasure.

Books on paper or on a screen?

It seems to be the eternal discussion. During a readers' meeting about the rodent and writer Geronimo Stilton for the 20th anniversary in Spain of the great book saga, the psychotherapist and reference in the field of child and adolescent brain development, Rafael Guerrero reminded us that whilst it is true that "screens are here to stay, we have to find out which moments are for screens and which are for reading". In this context, he encourages parents and teachers to lose their fear, as "it has to be a complementary element. We have to remember that not everything happens on those screens, in books we can find great stories".

The psychologist advocates physical books, which does not detract from the fact that screens can also have their place. "Reading books on paper has a series of benefits compared to screens, but they should not be demonised either. As far as reading is concerned, the stakes are clear. Excessive use of screens at an early age can cause difficulties in comprehension and language development.

 

A selection of books for each age group

On the occasion of International Book Day, a commemoration celebrated every April 23rd worldwide with the aim of promoting reading, we have selected some stories and books that should not be missing in any of our students' bookshelves:ç

3 years old

We could not begin this selection without mentioning The Colour Monster, by Anna Llenas. This is an essential book in any children's library for educating the little ones about emotions.

 

4 years old

A story for each letter, by Carmen Gil, is a compilation of 29 stories, one for each letter of the alphabet, designed so that children who are learning to read and write can distinguish the spelling and sounds of each letter and learn to recognise them. Each story has a letter as the main character.

 

5 years old

Elmer, by David McKee, is an essential story to teach respect, a children's classic that has sold more than 8 million copies. The main character is a multicoloured elephant, who serves as an excuse to transmit to children such important positive values as solidarity, friendship and, above all, the celebration of differences.

 

6 years old

Geronimo Stilton is a series of books for children aged 6 to 12 created by the Italian writer Elisabetta Dami. Her books are the adventures of the most famous rodent in literature and are comical stories as tender as a cheese ball, as tasty as a gorgonzola and as entertaining as counting the holes in a slice of gruyer...

 

7 years old

Mumu tells the story of an elephant from birth until he becomes a leader. He goes through a thousand trials and tribulations. An adventurous book that will keep any child hooked.

 

8 years old

Kika Superwitch is a series of books written by the German writer Knister. It began in 1997 when Knister wrote Kika Superwitch Detective. The Kika Superwitch books are always divided into four or five chapters each and have two tricks to perform around the theme of the book.

 

10 years old

When the washing machine broke down (ed. El barco de vapor) is a book about when the washing machine breaks down and there are no clean clothes left in the house. In addition, Sixten's father always forgets to call the repairman. And to top it all off, Sixten and his friend Jonte want to find him a girlfriend - laughs are guaranteed!

 

12 years old

Campos de fresas will have an impact on children who are beginning to enter their teenage years. This story, which was first published in 1997, has been reprinted 62 times and, although it has changed its cover in up to 4 editions, its story has not ceased to be topical: drug use amongst young people and its dangers. The story tells the story of Luciana, a young girl who has made a wrong decision and is paying the consequences of her actions. Her friends will try to help her to correct this terrible mistake, but will she be able to get a second chance and take control of her life? A harrowing story about the dangers that lurk in the lives of today's young people.

 

14 years old

Rebels by Susan E. Hinton is the last title on this list, but there are certainly many other must-reads! This book proves that no one said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure he has things under control. He knows he can count on his brothers and his friends, who will do anything for him. And as far as the socs (a violent gang) are concerned, they are always up for a fight. But one night someone takes it all too far and Ponyboy's world is turned upside down.

 

What book are you reading? Leave us your comments!