Check on Me

Andrew Daddo is a firm believer that we should all be reading to our kids from a very young age, and then for as long as they'll let us. He's been a book pusher for years because he knows that once the love of books is in a person, it's very hard to get out - not that you'd ever want to. It's not all altruistic, either. To end the day with a child in your arms or on your lap or by your side reading together is a blessing. For a child, being swept up in a story has to be the perfect end to any day. Just ask them ...

Indeed, the main reason Andrew recently left his job as Evening Presenter of 702 Radio Sydney and ABC Local Radio for the Channel 9 afternoon program (yes, the one that lasted just a little longer than the commercial break) was that he felt he'd missed enough of that special time before bed. The talk, the books and, of course, the kiss good night. 'When your kids are young you constantly hear that you should enjoy it because "they grow up so fast". They were right, of course, and I know that if we can't connect with our kids when they're young, we're going to battle when they're older.'

Then came the horror. In a moment of tears and tiredness, one of his children said that he'd made a book for the other two, but not for her. It wasn't necessarily true, but then again, there might have been something in it. And it was her bedtime ritual, the way she said 'Check on me,' that inspired Andrew's new book, Check on Me, which is published by ABC Books this month, with irresistible illustrations by Jonathan Bentley.

Says Andrew, 'I wonder if we spent a quarter of the time reading to our kids as we did carting them from ballet to footy to band practice, if they'd be better off. Of course they would. There is no down-side to being able to read. Reading is fundamental to every aspect of learning. As parents, we invest an enormous amount of time teaching kids to catch and kick - we should do the same with books. If not, it is surely a case of neglect for the future of our children. It's as simple as that. I know it takes time, maybe ten minutes a day, but parents need to start being pro-active and serious about their parenting. Turn the television off and spend some time at the end of each day reading with your child - and make it fun. Have books around the house - in the bedroom, by the sofa - and encourage reading. Visit your local library. Check to see if your local bookshop has storytelling sessions. By fostering a love of words and reading from a young age you'll be helping your child enormously.'

For parents who either never had a bedtime ritual themselves, or who have lost the art of it, Check on Me will certainly give them a helping hand in establishing a bedtime ritual for their children.

A kiss, a cuddle, a drink. And a story - but not one just from a book.From the team who brought you I do it, here's a wonderful way to get your own stories started. Check on Me will immediately become one of your family's bedtime favourites

Every parent can relate to this book, fantastic for small children.

Check on Me
ABC Books
Written by Andrew Daddo
Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley
ISBN: 9780733324192
RRP: $24.99