Reading to children is a wonderful activity and past time that both parents and teachers enjoy. Seeing their rapt, excited faces when there's a mystery to be solved, a surprise twist, or a happy ending is all the reward one needs. Not only are story books a child's first experience with written words and an introduction to education, but they are also a way to stimulate imagination and dreams. Some of the best short stories for kids are the classics. These stories have been around for generations, and are still best sellers and favorites in many families. These tried and true books will be around as long as parents pass on their love for great stories and enjoyable reading. Many of these classic books have lasted because kids have such a great time reading them. They're fun and exciting, and have beautiful and interesting illustrations. Many great stories for kids are available today in the bookstores as well as online. Few people today are aware of the fact that books written specifically for children did not exist before the 17th century. Prior to that time period it is was generally accepted that books were written exclusively for adult readers. In addition, printed works were highly expensive and were available primarily to people of means. Only minority of the adult population were literate, and even a smaller percentage of children living at that time were able to read and write. Today, we are blessed with proliferation of children's literature with a great variety of stories for kids geared to different age levels. The importance of reading to children is apparent to every parent. We can start reading stories for kids even to a baby or a toddler. Research shows that the baby in utero can hear her mother's voice and recognize it immediately after birth. Certainly even young babies love to hear the voice of their mother or father. Make sure to make the time you read with your child a pleasant time of bonding and closeness, to create positive associations with this activity in the young child's mind. Despite that this activity is of paramount importance, never force your child to read or listen to stories. It is much more important that the child enjoys the interaction between the two of you. If he or she is not in the mood to listen to short stories for kids, let him pick a game or different activity to do together. The most important aspect of your interaction should be mutual enjoyment. It is a good idea to encourage older siblings, relatives, and friends to read out loud to the younger children. There are many types of short stories for kids available to all, therefore you must search around according to your child's like and dislikes, or whether you want to nudge them in a certain direction or not. Short stories for kids are a great way to introduce kids to a new area of life or a new situation in a fun, timely manner. You should always make it a fun enjoyable thing to do, it should be about you and your child or children bonding and them learning from it too.