Hello!
I'm new to your site and feel bad starting out right off with a question, but I can tell I'm in a community that can help me.

I've recently been asked by the management of the large apartment complex I live in to develop "reading hour" for our tenant's children.  Well, considering we have approximately 3000 tenants, there's lots of little ones. I realize that children develop at a rapid rate, so I've propsed so far the following:

1.  We'll offer Reading Hours for Certain Ages.
     a.  2-3 year olds
     b.  3-4 year olds
     c.  4-5 year olds

    [this would give 3 and 4 year olds the chance to attend 2 different groups]

2. The "hour" would actually be more like 50 minutes - with plenty of singing, movement, marching
    stretching, etc. throughout the timeframe.  I believe that sitting for 50 minutes is much too much
    to ask of children of these ages.

3. We'll offer the groups most likely from 11 - 12 noon.

Now here are my questions:

1.  Is it inappropriate for 2 year olds to attend a reading group?

2.  Is pre-lunch a good time for these groups?  I figure that many take an after-lunch nap or rest, but maybe I'm simply crazy.  Would it be better to have them from 3 - 4 pm?

3.  MOST IMPORTANT, could any of you recommend your very favorite books (and give me an idea of the proper age of child it would appeal to).  The children's librarians around town are VERY helpful, but I want to hear from folks who work with kids daily and I believe your cumulative list will be invaluable.  If you do choose to make a recommendation, but see that an earlier poster already added that book, PLEASE REPEAT IT.  This will let me know how popular the books are.

Any ideas, criticisms, etc. WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.  Trust me, you can't hurt the feelings of a member of law enforcement - we've heard just about everything!!

Thanks to all of you,

Barbara