Why reading is important for young children

Everyone loves a great children’s picture book, which is why we’re launching the Great Australian Wildlife Book Collection, which features beautiful imagery of the most iconic animals and offers to help young readers understand different types of texts.

Reading aloud to a child is one of the best things you can do to ensure they get the best start in life.

And that’s why parents across Australia open books every day and read to their children — a shared delight, a precious slice of shared time and treasured memories of a growing vocabulary.

Mum Nicole Sandor always reads to her children Sofia, 9, and Alicia, 7.

“I’m a huge advocate of the importance of reading, but also of sharing stories and learning new words together,” she said.

Dr Matthew Zbaracki, Australian Catholic University’s head of education, said illustrations of animals in picture books play a strong role in a child’s literacy development.

“They provide additional information for children and sometimes are a support for what is happening within the text,” he said.

Sofia, 9, and Alicia, 7, Sandor. Picture: Jamie Hanson

“Many picture story books have animal main characters because kids are drawn to them and they can be universal. Children definitely have an interest in animals.”

Everyone loves a great children’s book about nature and animals, which is why News Corp Australia in conjunction with Discovery and Animal Planet are launching the Great Australian Wildlife Book Collection, in papers from tomorrow.

The collection of 15 books features beautiful imagery of the most iconic animals from a variety of landscapes across Australia and offers to help young readers understand different types of texts.

The launch comes as families with animal surnames prepare for free entry at select zoos and sanctuaries tomorrow only (see below).

Collect your bonus copy of the first book in the series, Iconic Australia, plus your Great Australian Wildlife Collection collector case tomorrow when you buy the paper from participating outlets. See terms and conditions, wildlifebooks.com.au

These Australian zoos and sanctuaries will allow free entry to those with animal surnames on Sunday, February 7 only:

Featherdale Wildlife Park (NSW)

Healesville Sanctuary (VIC)

Paradise Country (QLD)

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (TAS)

Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park (SA)

Territory Wildlife Park (NT)