Why Reading Aloud Helps Children Fall In Love With Books.
There is something magical about reading aloud to a child. It doesn't matter if they are six months old or seven going eight, like my child is now. the moment a story begins, the world seems to pause. Children lean in. Their imaginations switch on, and suddenly, reading becomes more than just words on a page. it becomes an experience.
When I first wrote Dreamy Goes to the Moon, I didn't realise how much reading aloud would shape the way children connected with it. But every time I share the story with my son, or hear from parents and teachers who have read it with their own children, I'm reminded just how powerful this simple act can be.
Reading aloud does more than entertain. It builds confidence, strengthens language skills and creates memories that stay with children long after the book is closed.
Children, naturally respond well to rhythm, tone and expression. When we read aloud, we bring the story to life in a way that text alone can't. Characters gain personalities, emotions become clearer. The story becomes something they can feel, not just follow.
This is one of the reasons I choose to write in rhyme. When my son first heard the rhyming lines, he lit up. He started predicting the next word, laughing at the patterns and repeating the lines back to me. Rhyme makes reading feel like music, and children instinctively understand it.
Not every child feels confident reading on their own. Some worry about getting words wrong. some rush and some freeze. But when someone reads to them, the pressure disappears. They can simply listen, enjoy and follow along at their own pace.
Overtime, this builds confidence. They begin to recognise words, they start joining in and they start to ask questions. children become curious and curiosity is the heart of literacy.
Some of my favourite moments with my son have been spent reading together. Even now, at seven going eight, he still curls up beside me with a book and says, "Can we read this one tonight?"
These moments matter, they create a positive emotional connection to reading. Children remember the warmth, the closeness, the laughter and that feeling stays with them as they grow.
When a child hears a story, they aren't just listening, their brains open up, they start imagining and they're learning. they start exploring new ideas and new worlds. Reading aloud becomes a shared journey between the adult and the child, one that strengthens bonds and encourages creativity.
This is exactly what happened to my son when he first told me the story that inspired Dreamy goes to the Moon. He shared his imagination with me, and together we turned it into something real, something special, something he can hold. Now we read the story together and it feels like revisiting a moment we created side by side.
Whether you're a parent, a teacher or a carer, reading aloud is one of the most powerful gifts you can give a child. It doesn't require anything fancy. Just a book, a voice and a few minutes of your time.
And who Knows....
Maybe one day, a story you read together will inspire a child to create a world of their own, just like my child did.
If your interested in grabbing your own copy of Dreamy goes to the Moon to read aloud with your child, please feel free to follow the link below to the shop.
I also have a email sign up on my website, all are welcome to join for more updates and future books in the process as I'm currently writing and illustrating another children's book, writing a sci-fi fantasy and also non-fiction books all to come.
