Parents, please don't stop reading to your children a great picture book could change their life | Sally Rippin

"Come Over to My House, co-written with musician Eliza Hull and illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett, is a rhyming picture book that explores the home lives of children and parents who are d/Deaf or disabled. I am so proud to have been a part of creating this book, and so thrilled to see it on this list among so many extraordinary titles."

"It's wonderful to see so many Australian picture books have stood the test of time, passed down from one generation to the next. Many of these picture books hold such a strong place in our hearts because they represent a cherished time in our childhoods: memories of being cuddled on someone's lap, or sitting cross-legged on a mat listening to a beloved adult fill the room with funny voices."

"Unlike most books, picture books are primarily created to read aloud. Along with being a lovely way to connect with a child, reading aloud is a vital first step to developing literacy. It expands vocabulary, enhances brain development and develops what is called phonological awareness helping children become familiar with rhythms and patterns in language. Research shows that regularly reading aloud to your child from a young age gives them a clear advantage when they start school."

A book was selected in the Guardian's readers' poll for best Australian picture books. Come Over to My House, co-written with Eliza Hull and illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett, is a rhyming picture book exploring the home lives of children and parents who are d/Deaf or disabled. Many Australian picture books have been passed down across generations and evoke memories of being cuddled on laps or listening to adults use funny voices. Picture books are primarily created to be read aloud. Reading aloud expands vocabulary, enhances brain development, develops phonological awareness, and gives children a clear advantage when starting school. Many adults stop reading picture books once children can read independently, often because children believe they have outgrown them.

Read at www.theguardian.com