A small annoyance

So this is one of those things that sounds so stupid when you say it out loud, but it is so annoying to me!

Children's books.

Let me explain. I like to read. I firmly believe that reading is a great way to learn and grow and develop academic skills you'll need for the rest of your life. But I also think, mainly, that reading should be fun. Fun! We all love fun, right?

Well, apparently a big selling point of children's books is that they're educational. I've come to this conclusion by reading the covers of the books we have in our living room (don't want to look at the ones in Matthew's room - sure it's more of the same).

Just a quick sample of some book blurbs from the books I have within reach:

• ...there are all kinds of textures for baby to explore in this safe, sturdy book that encourages early learning.
• The best-selling preschool learning program that develops your child's vocabulary and pre-reading skills.
• Parenting Tips: This book will help your baby explore and learn language!
• The Flip Flap series is a fun and exciting way for children to develop their reading skills...
• Books for Brainy Babies from Newborn to Six Months
• Dear Parents, Babies aren't just irresistibly adorable. They have amazing brains that soak up knowledge, doubling in size during the first twelve months... What's important is for your baby to hear language––as many words as he or she will sit still for.
• Parental Guidance: Promotes hand-eye coordination. Encourages interaction.
• A bright and colorful introduction to the world of numbers for young children. Open-ended questions help children work out basic mathematical concepts.   

RAWR. Some of these things, what do they even mean? Pre-reading skills? What's that? Early learning? How is that different from later learning?

I really appreciate Sandra Boynton, "Serious silliness for all ages," and Dr. Suess, "Simple, Silly, Sturdy Books for Babies of All Ages." (Not sure why they both have "all ages" on their board books, but whatev.)

Let's just save all of this worry about achievement and learning and getting ahead and studying for later on in life. I'm pretty sure if all kids learned to read for fun, they'd simply learn better through reading in the long run, because they'd keep reading!