“From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other. But when books are opened you discover you have wings.”

– Helen Hayes

In our early years, our world is our home. We know nothing beyond our families. Books show us that the world is much bigger. They open up portals through which we experience new things from the comfort of our own homes. It is undeniable that children’s books play a vital role in shaping our minds. Many times, they give us our first introduction to the outside world. Books spark our imaginations and help us form new ideas. They are essential for our developmental milestones. In addition to laying the foundation for language, books boost our creativity, focus, and emotional intelligence.

It is very important to introduce our children to books at an early age. Equally important is to make sure to give them books that would hold the interest of our easily distracted tiny tots. There are countless children’s books out there. You need to make sure to get only the best for your child. After all, the first books a child has shapes his views on reading.

Let us turn to our experts and see how children’s books spark a lifelong love of reading and curiosity about the world.

Editor’s Note: Contributors share professional and personal experiences related to literacy, reading, and child development. References to counseling or therapy are for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.

Cultural Stories Spark Classroom Curiosity Beyond Reading

In a multicultural classroom, I’ve seen one book spark a dozen questions. “Why do they eat that?” “What are their houses like?” When a story makes a kid want to know about another child’s real life, that’s the magic. It’s not just learning to read, it’s learning about people, and that curiosity often sticks with them for life.

Yoan Amselem, Managing Director, German Cultural Association of Hong Kong

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Relatable Books Transform Reading from Homework to Passion

What I found in my language schools is that kids get hooked on reading when they see their own world in books. We struggled with generic textbooks for months. Once we brought in stories that reflected their backgrounds, reading stopped being homework and became something they wanted to do. A small reward for exploring new stories builds the habit without any pressure.

Sandro Kratz, Founder, Tutorbase

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Children’s Books Give Voice to Unspoken Feelings

In my counseling work, I’ve found a simple trick to get families talking. When we read a children’s book together and a character has the same problem as a kid, they suddenly start sharing their own feelings. These stories give them the courage to speak up, and often, it’s the first step toward getting them genuinely interested in reading on their own.

Amy Mosset, CEO, Interactive Counselling

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No-Pressure Reading Creates Curious, Engaged Young Readers

You know, books can get kids curious. I’ve seen it happen a hundred times, even with the shy ones who lean forward during a story. The trick is no pressure. When a teacher or parent just sits down to share a book like it’s a fun thing to do, kids relax. They start asking questions, connecting the story to their own lives. That’s how reading goes from a chore to something that’s theirs.

Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director, The Spanish Council of Singapore

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Teen Readers Connect Through Character Experiences

In my teen therapy groups, I just brought in a pile of different books. One kid read about a character who was sad, looked up, and said, “I felt like that last week.” Suddenly everyone wanted to share their own stories. The best part is giving them the books and asking what gets them excited, then just listening.

Aja Chavez, Executive Director, Mission Prep Healthcare

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Books Build Family Bonds Through Shared Wonder

As a parent and someone who works closely with families every day, I’ve seen how children’s books become a doorway into imagination. When my kids were little, the stories we read together weren’t just about characters and settings; they were invitations to dream, wonder, and explore ideas bigger than themselves. Books give children the space to picture worlds beyond their daily routines, and that sparks a kind of curiosity that stays with them.

Reading early also strengthens the bond between a parent and child. Those quiet moments before bed, sitting on the couch or in the car with a book, build emotional connection. Kids begin to associate reading with comfort, attention, and discovery, and that shapes how they feel about learning in general.

Another thing I’ve noticed is how books introduce children to different cultures, places, and perspectives. A child in Toronto can learn about a rainforest in Brazil or a village in Kenya without leaving their bedroom. That gentle exposure builds empathy and encourages questions. It makes the world feel bigger and more exciting.

When kids start to ask “why” or “how” after reading a story, that’s the start of lifelong curiosity. Books open that door in a natural and meaningful way.

Cory Arsic, Founder, Canadian Parent

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Stories Empower Children to Question Their World

Children’s books are often a child’s first invitation to wonder. They spark curiosity not by providing all the answers, but by inspiring young readers to ask more questions. When a story makes a child laugh, think, or feel seen, it plants the seed for a lifelong love of learning.

At Story Monsters LLC, we believe that stories do more than entertain — they empower. The right book can turn a moment of curiosity into a journey of discovery. That’s why we champion authors who blend imagination with meaning, helping children see that every page turned is a doorway to a bigger world.

Linda Radke, Monster-in-Chief, Publisher & Founder Story Monsters Ink, Story Monsters LLC