I used to read to my son every night (he’s 29 now); I think I enjoyed the stories more than he did, and he enjoyed them a lot! Some of my favorites were The Diggingest Dog, Little Black a Pony, Highlights and Boys Life magazines and anything else I could find that I thought he would like. Can’t say for sure whether it helped or not (kid has had his ups and downs and continues to struggle with some issues) but I know it sure helped me.
” but I know it sure helped me.”
But I digress. The stories we read actually helped me be a better parent, sometimes. I felt I undertood boys better after reading Thomas the Tank Engine (original) stories, and Pinocchio and Captain Underpants. Junie B. Jones was really similar to my daughter sometimes, and then Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter, later on.
We still read outloud on road trips. Our latest was Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. That book about Zamperini was a recent read, as well.
What a happy topic!