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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
An absolute must-read for librarians, parents and teachers. Jim's book presents the research for reading aloud along with numerous stories to maintain interest, as well as a substantial reading list. Brilliant.
A must read for anyone that has kids or works with kids. Affirms what we all know about how important reading is.
I bought this book mostly because the back half of it has a long list of recommendations of books to read a loud and each listing comes with an appropriate listening age range. Which is exactly what I've been looking for so I can get some new ideas about which books would be appropriate to read to Lincoln.
And if that were all that was in the book, it would have been well worth the $9 dollars I spent on it. The selections will keep us in reading material for a LONG time. :)
But I also really enjoyed the rest of the book. It's nothing too unpredictable. Mostly he just uses a lot of research and real life experiences to back up his belief that reading aloud to kids is the best, most efficient, and cheapest way to give them an educational boost. And he has tons of stats to back up his claims. Which, I think is pretty cool, because it's something I've always known intuitively, but I had no idea that the actual numbers would stack so highly in favor of reading aloud as a family. Not only does it create positive family bonding time, but across all ages and grades levels, kids who are read aloud to do better in school and on tests than those who aren't.
I've always loved reading, and I was always read to as a child, so this wasn't a very hard concept for me to absorb, but I think everyone, whether they like reading or not, could really benefit from some of the ideas in this book. And like I mentioned earlier, the book is worth it even if you only use it as a reference for it's list of books that make good read alouds.
And if that were all that was in the book, it would have been well worth the $9 dollars I spent on it. The selections will keep us in reading material for a LONG time. :)
But I also really enjoyed the rest of the book. It's nothing too unpredictable. Mostly he just uses a lot of research and real life experiences to back up his belief that reading aloud to kids is the best, most efficient, and cheapest way to give them an educational boost. And he has tons of stats to back up his claims. Which, I think is pretty cool, because it's something I've always known intuitively, but I had no idea that the actual numbers would stack so highly in favor of reading aloud as a family. Not only does it create positive family bonding time, but across all ages and grades levels, kids who are read aloud to do better in school and on tests than those who aren't.
I've always loved reading, and I was always read to as a child, so this wasn't a very hard concept for me to absorb, but I think everyone, whether they like reading or not, could really benefit from some of the ideas in this book. And like I mentioned earlier, the book is worth it even if you only use it as a reference for it's list of books that make good read alouds.
I really like the idea of reading aloud to students, no matter how old they are.
I checked out this book from my local library as I was interested in reading it before diving into the Read Aloud Family Book. The book's most recent update is 2006 so naturally, it had several books I was familiar with from my childhood recommended in it. I enjoyed the foundations and suggestions on introducing reading to my child as naturally I would rush through the book or emphasize the images for them. This book also does a thorough and informative job of laying out books for different ages from beginning board books to great books for read-aloud that could be chapter books for the young reader or books that they will read as they find a grade level. I look forward to an amended version with a potentially diverse selection of books however the way this book is designed allows one to find books that suit whichever family is reading it and outlines suggestions that can be taken or left aside. This has provided a foundation to move on to the Read-Aloud Family!
Like I didn't feel bad enough for hating to read aloud to my kids. (Seriously. I love to read. I hate reading aloud and hate being read to.) This book made me feel thoroughly guilty. And convinced me that my children will wind up in prison or working at McDonald's if I don't start reading to them RIGHT NOW.
Of course, I realize this sounds like a bad review, but it's not meant to be. It's a well written, un-preachy book that makes its case convincingly. It was the kick in the ass I needed.
Of course, I realize this sounds like a bad review, but it's not meant to be. It's a well written, un-preachy book that makes its case convincingly. It was the kick in the ass I needed.
Very helpful resource. Answers great questions like: Is it cheating if kids listen to books instead of read them? How can I get my kid to be a stronger reader? If I force my kid to read, won't he hate reading? What books are best for certain age groups? etc. The book includes lots of great advice for the parent who is trying to encourage a child to read.
A great resource for books to read to children and why we should read to children. I wish I had had a copy when my daughter was small.