Hey there, fellow book lovers! Bryce here, and I’ve got something on my mind that I just *have* to share with you.
You know what’s amazing? Watching a kid’s face light up when they’re deep into a good story. It’s like… magic happening right before your eyes. And here’s the thing – it’s not just magic, it’s actually their brain doing some pretty incredible stuff.
## **Why Reading is Basically a Superpower for Little Brains**
Okay so, I’ve been writing for kids for years now, and I’ve seen it firsthand. When children read (or when someone reads to them), their brains are literally building highways. Neural highways! It’s wild.
Think about it like this:
– Every new word is a building block
– Every story is a workout for their imagination
– Every page turned is… well, it’s growth happening in real time
And look, I get it. Screens are everywhere. tablets, phones, TVs. They’re flashy and instant and kids love em. But here’s what a book does that nothing else can…
## **The Secret Sauce of Reading**
When a child reads about a purple platypus going on an adventure (hint hint, Playful Platypus fans!), they’re not just seeing it on a screen. They’re creating that whole world in their head. Every. Single. Detail.
Their brain goes: “What does purple look like on a platypus? How does it move? What does its voice sound like?”
That’s cognitive development on steroids, my friends.
## **The Real-World Benefits (Because We All Want Smart Kids, Right?)**
Here’s what happens when kids read regularly:
**Language Skills** – Obviously. But it’s more than just vocabulary. It’s understanding how sentences flow, how ideas connect, how to express themselves better. I’ve met 7-year-olds who read a lot and they talk like little professors. It’s adorable AND impressive.
**Focus and Concentration** – In a world of 15-second videos, sitting with a book for 20 minutes is like meditation for kids. They learn to slow down, to stick with something, to see it through to the end.
**Emotional Intelligence** – This one’s huge. When kids read about characters feeling scared, happy, confused… they’re learning to recognize and understand emotions. Not just their own, but others too.
**Problem-Solving** – Every story has conflict, right? Kids reading are constantly thinking “what would I do?” or “how will they fix this?” That’s critical thinking in action.
## **But Here’s What Really Gets Me**
You know what I love most about places like Playful Platypus? They get it. They’re not just selling books. They’re providing tools for cognitive development. They’re giving parents and kids the chance to build those neural pathways together.
When I see Gary Campbell’s books paired with Trevor’s art… man, that’s a double whammy of brain food right there. Stories that engage the language centers, art that fires up the visual processing areas. It’s beautiful.
## **My Challenge to You**
20 minutes. That’s all.
Tonight, instead of another episode of whatever’s on Netflix, grab a book with your kid. Could be one of Gary’s adventures, could be anything really. Just read together.
Watch their eyes. Listen to their questions. See how they start predicting what happens next.
That’s their brain growing. Right there in your lap.
## **The Bottom Line**
Look, I’m not saying throw away all the tablets and ban screen time forever. That’s not realistic and honestly, some educational apps are pretty great.
But books? Books are irreplaceable.
They build vocabulary, sure. They improve focus, absolutely. But more than that – they build dreamers, thinkers, and kids who know how to create entire worlds in their minds.
And in my humble opinion? That’s the kind of cognitive development that matters most.
So next time you’re browsing Playful Platypus or any bookstore really, remember: you’re not just buying a book. You’re investing in a little brain that’s eager to grow.
And that investment? It pays dividends forever.
Happy reading, friends. Your kids’ brains will thank you.
*- Bryce*
