Reading aloud as a family: children’s books at the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA

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4 February is Read Aloud Day, and it is a great reason to visit the Department Store at the National Centre RUSSIA. Here visitors can find children’s books that are enjoyable to read together as a family. This helps develop imagination and curiosity while creating a wonderful tradition of shared reading.

The Department Store RUSSIA features a series of books about the fairy tales of the peoples of the Far East: "Fairytale Chukotka", "Fairytale Taimyr", "Fairytale Amur", "Fairytale Sakhalin" and "Fairytale Yakutia". Each book is a small journey into a region with its own nature, characters and legends. Children learn about life in the North, become familiar with traditions and discover how people of different cultures can be kind neighbours. These stories nurture empathy, curiosity and respect for the diversity of the country.

Board games that continue the storylines of the books can also be selected to accompany the series. Families first read the fairy tale and then play based on its plot, recalling characters and events. In this way, reading does not end on the final page but naturally turns into shared play and lively conversation.

The Department Store also offers educational publications by PressPass. The book "Man and the Whale" tells the story of whales that live in the seas of the Chukotka Autonomous Area. It brings together facts about how whales live, what they eat, where they travel and how they are connected to the lives of northern peoples. The book includes many vivid illustrations, infographics and unusual facts, as well as activities, colouring pages and puzzles. The central spread can be removed and hung up as a poster. This edition is convenient to read together: an adult explains, while a child looks at the pictures, asks questions and completes the tasks.

The book "Amazing Beringia" takes readers to Kamchatka and introduces them to the dog sled race "Beringia". Through the story of friendship between a person and a dog, children learn about mushers, northern peoples, sled dogs and sledges, as well as the harsh nature and traditions of the region. The book contains many illustrations and practical activities, including mazes, colouring pages, riddles and origami.

Reading aloud brings families together. Parents and children follow the story, discuss the characters, complete tasks and play based on the book. Such books help develop a child’s speech and thinking while also creating shared memories and warm family traditions.