If you’re a literature-loving nerd like me, you’ve probably already fantasized about the days when your children will be old enough to be exposed to your favorite classic novels. How thrilling it’ll be to dive back into some of your “trusty old friends” with your children along for the ride! How amazing it’ll be to see your children get sucked in-between the pages of a book that had captivated you once upon a time! How wonderful to relive those “first-time” experiences through the eyes of your child and discuss characters, plot-development, and morals together.
Oh!! I look forward to those days. But I’m also digging our present circumstances: these days I’m teaching my children to read, exploring ABC books and early readers together, reading aloud childhood classics . . .
Now- imagine my excitement at stumbling upon a way to beautifully bridge these two stages together. While attending a friend’s baby shower I was introduced to a board book based on Jane Eyre. Aside from serving as a very basic introduction to terms and characters from the classic Gothic novel, this book also functions as a counting primer.
An inside look of BabyLit – Jane Eyre
So now imagine my elation when I saw that this bite-sized Jane Eyre was just one book in a series created by the folks over at BabyLit. Each BabyLit board book interjects imagery and terms from classic literature into a toddler friendly primer book (i.e. colors, counting, opposites, etc.)
An inside look at BabyLit- Romeo & Juliet
I’m a sucker for classics. So when I came home from that baby shower I immediately went online, researched the company, and purchased all six books that were currently in the series.
They’ve been a staple of my girls’ daily reading ever since. The greatest thing about these books is that they hold the attention of all my kids. There’s something for everyone. For my 2 year old, we take turns focusing on the “primer” aspect of the book: the colors or numbers associated with the images. For my 4 year old, we sound out the smaller words and effectively read together. Even my fluently-reading 6 year old has an appreciation for the books. If she isn’t reading them to her siblings, then she and I are exploring the books together and I add in additional information not included in the books. ”Adele was a young girl like you. Jane Eyre was hired as her nanny.” I sprinkle these little tidbits around in the hopes of whetting Mira’s bookish-appetite. A big thick novel might not seem so overwhelming when it’s just the expanded version of an old friend.
My girls and I have been enjoying these books for a few months now. I’ve been meaning to get this blog post up and list these board books in my collection of Must-Have things. Just between the time-span of my initial purchase and the writing of this blog post there have been three new additions to the set. I’m hoping to add them to my collection!
Check out all they have to offer and pick up your favorites today!
Saw these at our local bookstore and have had them on the wish list, too! I love that Mira gets into them, too. I am so glad my older one will still read board books and picture books to herself & her sister … and even still snuggle with me for them.
Coming over from Read Aloud Thursday.
I’d seen a few of the first titles but hadn’t really looked into them. Looks like the series as expanded significantly! I’m rather particularly interested in checking out Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol.
As an aside, I love your pictures!
Oh, I saw these once or twice ut forgot about them. Now they’ve expanded the series quite a bit. They are intriguing! Thanks so much for the reminder!
I have mixed feelings about these books. I sort of wonder if they are more for adults than children. I’m glad your kids love them, though. That’s the important things! Thanks for sharing at The Children’s Bookshelf.
I agree the novelty of them is definitely more for the adults. Kids won’t walk away from Baby Lit’s Romeo & Juliet with any idea about the tragic ending or anything. The children use these boooks as they would any other primer. But it does leave just enough of an impression (if read often enough as is the case in our house) to make connections when terms or characters from stories make an appearance in their lives. For example, now when Mira hears “Romeo & Juliet” pop up in conversation she grasps it’s a love story. And for a board book, that’s enough detail for us.
Visiting via The Children’s Bookshelf.
We just love these books too. I haven’t seen the Moby Dick on yet. Alice in Wonderland is our favourite. What is yours?
Hi Jackie,
I’d be hard pressed to pick my favorite. My girls however, are constantly going back to Romeo & Juliet. I personally enjoy them all. I particularly like the way they add tiny details into their whimsical illustrations in all of their books.
Very cool!
Wow – these look amazing! I have a baby shower for a book loving friend coming up – this might just be the perfect gift.
I am SO excited to learn about this (as a former English teacher and big time book nerd)! Thanks so much for sharing (and linking up at The Tuesday Baby Link Up)! I’m going to add these books to my daughter’s birthday wish list right now.