Why are illustrated children's books so repetitive? I hate it.

[lljkk]

I only read the story as written the first time thru. After that I always paraphrase or cut out whole chunks of text because it just keeps repeating the same phrases over and over and over...

It drives me crazy. I don't know if any kids like so much of the same and same and same phrases, but I can't stand it. What benefit is massive repetition supposed to have?

back on topic (although I see this is an old thread) - I remember being at primary school, aged about 4-5, and the teacher was reading us the Three Billy Goats Gruff. It was the end of the day, and she said to some parents who'd arrived: "Children love repetition." I remember thinking - which children?? I hate repetition!

That incident really sticks in my mind, for some reason. I just remember finding it really strange that someone could say on my behalf that, since I was a child, I was bound to love this tedious repetition.

I know this is really old but for anyone who likes reading there is a full journal article here

www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00017/full

Or if that is waaaay to sciency, try out
www.clarestoys.com/child-development/toddlers-babies-like-repetition/

or

madamenoire.com/46046/over-and-over-again-why-repetition-is-good-for-children/