Many favorite children’s books have parts that just beg to be acted out and provide perfect vehicles for children to engage with the story.  As soon as your child is able to “help” you read a story, you can also introduce the idea of acting it out. Folk and fairy tales are particularly suited for reenactment and help build children’s ability to sequence stories at the same time.

The author, Jan Brett, has retold and beautifully illustrated Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Young children tend to identify with wee Baby Bear and love to recite his refrain when he sees the damage that has been done to his chair, porridge, and bed.

Paul Galdone is a well-known re-teller and illustrator of traditional tales that have been handed down from one generation to the next.  Many of his versions come packaged with an audio CD which provides children with a chance to listen to their favorites when no one’s available to read to them. The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Little Red Hen, The Three Bears, Henny Penny, The Gingerbread Boy, Three Little Kittens and The Elves and the Shoemaker are among his many recommended works.

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