It's a common misconception that a child needs to be able to read to love books. Primary teacher Lorna Banfield would argue it is not the case, and you only have to watch a toddler exploring a pop-up book or the textures of a cloth book to find proof.
Banfield, English co-ordinator at The Jockey Club Sarah Roe School in Kowloon, says for children with learning difficulties who struggle to learn to read, this kind of interactive and sensory books continue to be an invaluable tool, as not only a source of enjoyment, but also as a way of stimulating development as well as the imagination.
'With children with special needs, these sensory books are the first step in creating a love of reading, especially in children who are not very verbal,' says Banfield. 'They help develop sensory awareness, as well as basic concept understanding such as colours, opposites, sizes and shapes.
'If a child can't communicate verbally, they can show they understand concepts through the book, and they can match colours on the pages and match sounds with the pictures.
'They also help them understand cause and effect. For example, they learn if they press this or turn that page, then something will happen.'
Simply put, sensory books -also known as interactive books- encourage a child to use as many of the senses as possible, from sight and hearing to touch, taste and smell, through a variety of ways including textures on the page and sound effects.