As parents and carers, a key responsibility we have is to pave the way for reading, even if we are not keen readers ourselves.
Recently, I was asked to suggest books for two families: some for a developing reader, and some to help to increase vocabulary. Vocabulary is a buzz word at the moment, and introducing children to new words is crucial so that they know what they are when they meet them in their own reading and writing. One of the best ways to do this is through sharing a story as often as possible. This isn't always easy, so I always recommend audio books. Audible is a good option (https://amzn.to/2Rup7Qe) but there are plenty of free providers, including Amazon Story Time on an Alexa-enabled device (https://amzn.to/3z8w62d) .
For books, here are some of my recent recommendations, with Amazon affiliate links for a quick way to find them:
Picture book sets to read together - just a few of the many amazing sets available
Hairy Maclary https://amzn.to/3c44MZm
Paddington Bear https://amzn.to/34wTQzd
Julia Donaldson https://amzn.to/3pf3EYc
Mr Men https://amzn.to/2SHDKzZ
Beatrix Potter (the language is a little old fashioned) https://amzn.to/34Cq3oN
Longer stories/chapter books for adults to read to children
My Naughty Little Sister https://amzn.to/34wJXSb
The Famous Five https://amzn.to/3p7T70O
The Faraway Tree series https://amzn.to/3fAvY3S
Roald Dahl https://amzn.to/3vDeR73
Dick King Smith https://amzn.to/3yZWUSz
Winnie and Wilbur https://amzn.to/34wElaf
Wonder https://amzn.to/3fRa1wg (There's also a film but read the book first!)
Shakespeare collection https://amzn.to/3p6HXcA
The World's Worst Children https://amzn.to/3uxmpXK
The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale https://amzn.to/3z7s2PZ
Charlotte's Web https://amzn.to/3g2wic6 (book first, then film!)
David Walliams https://amzn.to/3crXaQy
There are so many more! Please get in touch if you would like more ideas.
Phonics books for children to read (check reading levels carefully - these are suitable for end of reception/start to mid year one)
Superhero phonics https://amzn.to/3uydXHD
Disney phonics https://amzn.to/3p9j00o
Phonics bug pack 4 https://amzn.to/3c4P7ZA
Phonics bug pack 5 https://amzn.to/3p6iMHb
Joke books
Jokes for 5 year olds https://amzn.to/34YkuRQ
Jokes for 6 year olds https://amzn.to/3uDFcR9
Jokes for 7 year olds https://amzn.to/3c6Y1Ws
Jokes for 8 year olds https://amzn.to/3gk3Q42
Books (shorter pages) for readers desperate to try chapter books!
Jill Tomlinson set https://amzn.to/3yQNkB4
Mr Gum set https://amzn.to/34yOhQJ
The Worst Witch https://amzn.to/3c6kpj0
Tom Gates, Ten Tremendous Tales https://amzn.to/3fD9JdH
Pamela Butchart, Baby Aliens set https://amzn.to/3geNvxG
Harriet Muncaster, Isadora Moon set https://amzn.to/3g0xlJj
Laura Ellen Anderson, Amelia Fang set https://amzn.to/3ptbVaQ
*Contains Amazon affiliate links which generate a tiny bit of commission for my blog.