Animal stories are an essential element of children's libraries and are often the first books to be read independently. Writers have always believed that the theme of animals and nature is the most important for the human soul. They put their whole soul and writing talent into this topic. They believed that this is a continuous relationship of a person with the external environment and everything that surrounds us.
What are the benefits of books about animals?
Books about animals teach children such qualities as compassion, responsibility, and the ability to show kindness and care. And the development of the emotional sphere is one of the most important tasks from preschool age. While the format of a serious conversation is not yet available to the child, fairy tales and various stories help to discuss with him even the most difficult topics. The emotions, motives of the characters and the consequences of their actions become in this conversation beautiful illustrations for useful thoughts and rules from the adult world. We would recommend reading this series from the age of 4-5. Lauren Grabois Fischer has the perfect collection and all her books teach kids to be proud of who they are and to live a positive and peaceful life. At this age, children can already talk about basic emotional states and are able to perceive stories of medium complexity.
Stories about animals
Good stories about animals are a really kind and good example of how children can interact with each other and learn responsibility and care. For younger students, this series of books is perfect for independent reading. The themes that arise in stories are sometimes complex, but the same things happen around us on a daily basis. And this is another reason to talk to your child about situations (for example, abandonment) that sometimes happen to both people and animals.
How to explain to a child that a pet is not a toy, but a big responsibility?
And what if, after reading stories about cats and dogs, the kid asks to have a pet that the parents are not ready to support? This is a difficult topic that all parents face sooner or later. When a simple conversation about responsibility is not enough, books and stories come to the rescue to show how serious the decision to have a pet is. This series perfectly illustrates not only the pleasant side of communicating with a pet, but also shows a more complex picture of the emotions that arise in such relationships.
It is hardly possible to avoid the moment when a child wants to have a pet, and there will not always be a connection with reading on this topic. Each parent will have to conduct a dialogue about responsibility. In this case, stories about animals will help in a confidential atmosphere to discuss with the child all aspects of such a serious decision, and with older children-also the issue of responsibility in relationships in a broader context.
Having a first pet for a kid
It is important for both children and parents to understand that a pet is a living creature that requires attention, care, time and a certain item of expenditure in the family budget. It is difficult for a child to learn in words what responsibility is, he learns this gradually, using the example of adults, seeing their actions. You need to start with a simple, doable one, so that the student can feel that they are able to fulfill their commitment.
If the parent is not ready to take the pet, it is necessary to explain to the child that he has evaluated his strength and is not ready to take this step now. And this will also be an example of responsibility. You better start with reading books for kids about animals. You may propose your child buying a book he/she likes in the supermarket, in a bookshop or use an opportunity to buy books online due to the Coronavirus situation.