Books for children - too late, or too early?

My initial reaction to the Total mall incident sprang from being told that I was late in introducing books into Aahna's life. As a parent, I wanted to do the best for my child. As does every parent. While I didn't want to overload Aahna, neither did I desire to miss age-appropriate opportunities for stimuli. And when I was told that I have missed / lost an opportunity, my initial response was that it was not an opportunity at all. Atleast not one I was seeking for my child.

There were also a couple of things I was unaware of at the time - the immense joy (for both parents and child) contained in reading aloud (for me books were self-read, because I have never been read to in my own life); and the availability of thousands of age-appropriate books for all ages, including infancy.

Looking back, I clearly see that it can never be too late to introduce books to children. We started reading aloud to Aahna well into her second year and they are now indispensable for her - a carefully selected subset from her library finding a place in our suitcases every time we travel.

Just as it can never be too late, I believe it can never be too early to introduce books to children. There can be something to discuss with your child in every book provided it contains some pictures. Even a newspaper can provide subjects that are age appropriate to discuss with your child. And for that matter, reading aloud from a picture-less book may also be worthwhile - even though you may not be able to hold an infant / toddler's attention for too long.

The beginning - A salesman and my incredulity

It was in Aug 2010. Aahna was barely 1 month old at the time. In a large open space in front of the elevators at Total mall, Sarjapur Road, a short, lean, bespectacled gentleman had laid out his wares - an assortment of children's books. He waylaid me as I was heading towards the elevators, on my way to buying our weekly groceries. He made his pitch. I said my daughter was just 1 month old and it was too early to consider buying books for her. He said in fact it was too late. I was incredulous. Books for a 1 month old? I like reading - but, wouldn't we be pushing it, buying books for Aahna so early in her life? Are we going to get her started in the race when she is barely 1 month old? Didn't we want to keep her initial years free from pressure and expectations. And in any case, she wont be ready to read for a number of years yet. I went my way.

I saw him there for a few more months after that, and then he cleared out. I haven't been to Total mall in a while now. But I guess he has moved on. To another mall I hope, not to another profession.