To buy 3yo DN a picture book for Christmas?

[LynetteScavo]

SIL seems very insistant of reading books to her DD that most people would consider advanced for a 3yo. Her DD seems to enjoy these stories, but I'm convinced it's because she likes sitting on her mums lap, having a hug, not that she is actually engrosed in what is being read to her. Sil has also commented that some children are unable to read when they start reception (er, yes, like my 3 DC's)
Anyway, I saw a gorgous picture book while I was browsing in a shop today, and immediately thought of buying it for DN for Christmas. On the one hand I think it would Be nice for DN to look at a picture book and make up the words, of have a adult make them up when reading it to her...on the other hand I think my SIL will be that I've given her such a basic book. I alsofeel like giving DN this book I would be making a huge statement as to what I think 3yo's should be reading.

Here is the book

Seems insistant on.

English is my first language.

It's a beautiful book. Books are not just about processing words are they, they are about the overall experience. Your DN will love that book, you should definitely get it. My seven year old would like it for that matter - and she can read any old book she likes.

it's beautiful. Buy it.
And maybe get a story book as well, for example, Milly Molly Mandy or something by Shirley Hughes?

I think it's a real shame when children are expected to abandon pictures in favour of words. You could always tell your SIL that DN's reading will develop faster as she gains the skill to tell her own stories (sounds quite plausible!)

YANBU to buy her the book if you think she will enjoy it. I think it would be especially nice with some finger puppets even.

YABU to "make a statement" about what you feel is suitable and not suitable reading material for someone else's child though.

What is she reading to the 3 year old that is so bad or too grown up?

And des it matter if the 3 year old enjoys it?

At that age my DD loved a whole variety of books from picture books to chapter books. She still does.

how odd too avoid picture books, the woman sounds bizarre!

Yes, I think you should buy it.

And a couple more for good measure.

Just to make a point, like.

Oh I might get that for my dd, and she's nearly 5.

What is your SIl reading to her?

Lovely illustrations. What could be nicer? I don't think it would be seen as 'basic' at all the colour palette and style is so delicate. How nice of you to put so much thought into it.

Where is the OP does it say that the little girl isn;t given picture books as well?

I guess it doesn't.

It's implied. Or I inferred it.

Either way, does it matter?

No, doesn't matter. I suppose I just felt the OP seemed very judgemental of the other mum, but I am nt really convinvced as to why.

I am assuming the "unsuitable" material is just children's chapter books. Which IMO is fine, if the 3y is interested.

It does say suitable for 4 - 8yrs, use that as your reason

Ah, you see, with a good inferring or implying going on on my part, I could understand the judgeyness and it all made sense. That's what judgeyness is about, surely, a good bit of implying

Lynette, does the child get any picture books at all?

That's one present soted then.

I do tend to over think gifts...one of my bigest fears is going mad and giving everyone totally unsutable gifts.

Hulababy....I woudln't be making a statement, I just don't want SIL to think I'm making a statement.

Ofcourse SIL is entitled to read whatever she wants to DN, I just thnk it would be nice for her to have a wide variety of books, rather than missing out on picture books.

Of course SIL could just be showing off when I'm around.

I can't think off the top of my head the titles SIL reads to head, but I suspect DN pulls them off the shelf at the library, and DB lets her have what ever she happens to have picked up. This is what I'm telling myself , anyway.

I really am over thinking this, aren't I!

It is exactly the kind of book they'll start off with in reception- books with no words are the first step in learning to read.

However, your dn is having a lovely time listening to stories and cuddling with her mum. She will see lots of picture books at preschool/nursery and if she does learn to read before school (not that reading chapter books to her will help her particularly) it's neither here nor there.

It's a beautiful book and you can buy her whatever you like.

Oh stuff going against what the parents want. It's a book, not a fruitshoot.

That should have had a or a on the end.

It's lovely

But if there is any possibility that you do mean it to be a bit pointed, or that SIL will received it that way, I'd be cautious about it.

Yes, she does have access to picture books...."The Little Prince", etc...I'm not judgey of SIL (yes she is a bit bizare, nice, but bizare ) But I am a bit touchy that my Mum presumes DN is brighter than my DC's (she probably is TBH, but I've no proof of that yet!) So I dont' want SIL to think that I think all 3yo's look at picture books....I feel some what under presure to give her Wuthering Heights, or something, as if that's what my DC's would have been reading at that age.

Actually no, it shouldn't. Books are good. Any book. They're not dangerous you know.

I'm wittering to myself and yes, you're overthinking it.

Gwaaaaan, buy it.

The little prince is still quite wordy isn't it?

Or is there a lovely picture version?

I don't like 'picture' books with no/little words tbh. I just don't, but i do put up with reading 'Hug' to my kids as it came in a bookstart pack, for my 3yr old i tend to read stuff i enjoy, like Shirley Hughes' Alfie and Annie Rose books. So obv i think you are being a bit critical of sil, i think it is better for me to enjoy reading and do it regularly than to find it a chore and not want to do it, although i will read the glittery books where is obv the budget was spent on the decoration rather than the content/author's wages that MIL gives us.

However if my 3 yr old was given that book I would not be offended/upset it does look like a lovely book and as its style is arty it seems like a 'grown up' picture book. If your sil is in fact a bit of a pushy parent she will prob appreciate the cultural/creative aspect of it so i think it would be a great gift.

Picture books a re good for all ages.

However, as you'd be buying it to make a point, you should not buy it at all. No one wants a huge statement for a christmas present.

I think it looks lovely - in fact, may invest for my 3.5 yo daughter - she loves the Jan Ormerod wordless books: www.amazon.co.uk/Moonlight-Jan-Ormerod/dp/1845073916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258409403&sr=1- 1 and the wonderful Shirley Hughes Up & Up (also wordless) www.amazon.co.uk/Up-Red-Fox-picture-books/dp/0099922509/ref=sr_1_78?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258409546&s r=1-78

I would tend to agree with iheartdusty that, if there's a danger this could be interpreted as an attack on your SIL's reading approach, I'd buy something more in line with what she would generally read. My 3 yo loves my naughty little sister stories (as does her 5 yo brother)