We all know how important books and reading are to our children, but there are some hidden benefits you might not have realised. Author and Mom, Candice Noakes-Dobson, who writes the A Little Horse Called Pancakes Book Collection, shares some of the hidden benefits of reading with your child that she has discovered.

1. It helps to build a stronger bond between you and your child, and gives them a sense of closeness and well-being that will help them feel more loved, which in turn helps them to learn more
2. This closeness also helps children build a positive association with reading, which helps foster a love of books and reading as they grow older.
3. It helps your child to calm down and fully relax
4. It helps to open communication lines with your child, helping them talk and open up to you
5. It helps to build listening skills and grow their imaginations
6. It helps to increase their attention spans which helps them to be able to concentrate for longer periods of time
7. It helps them to learn early thinking skills like understanding cause and effect, exercising logic, as well as thinking in abstract terms. They are also able to learn the consequences of actions, and the basics of what is right and wrong.
8. It can help your child through a stressful situation by reading them a story about a character going through what they are going through and seeing how they are able to overcome it.
9. Many studies have shown that children who do well at school were all read to as young children, so you will help have a positive influence on their learning abilities.
10. Reading to your child helps them to become a lifelong reader!!

For more info on the Pancakes book collection please visit:

• Facebook - @pancakesbookcollection
• Instagram - @alittlehorsecalledpancakes

Candice Noakes-Dobson returns with her 4th installment in the A Little Horse Called Pancakes Book collection – A Little Horse Called Pancakes and the Big Scare. This story is adapted from real-life characters and events within the Cape Town horse-riding community. Set against the backdrop of an all-important dressage competition, the story sees the legendary miniature horse taken ill by a life-threatening sickness. Disaster is averted by the love and care of AnnaB, once again illustrating the amazing bond between human and pet, before Pancakes finds a unique way to repay her love.

“We are so excited to also feature South African dressage superstar, Nichola Mohr, in this story too. She has been such an inspiration to AnnaB, and is living proof that with hard work anything is possible,” says Candice. Nichola is currently in Germany with her horse, Callaho Winston, as they prepare to hopefully be the first South African born horse and rider team to compete at the Olympic Games.

As with the other books in the series, this story hopes to inspire not only a love of reading in children, but also a love for all living animals and how powerful these friendships can be. All proceeds from the book are donated to SARDA (South African Riding for the Disabled Association).

For more information about Pancakes and the adventures that he and AnnaB get up to on a daily basis please follow them on social media:
Facebook – @pancakesbookcollection
Instagram – @alittlehorsecalledpancakes