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363 reviews for:
The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids
Sarah MacKenzie
4.31 AVERAGE
363 reviews for:
The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids
Sarah MacKenzie
4.31 AVERAGE
I LOVED this book just like anything else from Sarah Mackenzie. Part one goes through the benefits of reading aloud - of which there are countless. Part two has great tips and tricks on how to cultivate it in your own home. Part three breaks it down based on age, along with her favorite read alouds for that age. A must read for anyone who wants to read aloud to their kids!
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
This book is a bit of a peek at what using the "Read-Aloud Handbook" by Jim Trelease might look like. That book (which is top-notch) is often cited in MacKenzie's book, along with some other citations.
The book lists at the back are fine, and an attempt at adding some contemporary titles in addition to some older classics.
I was a bit distracted by the bubbly writing style, and disappointed at the lack of practical how-tos in some chapters, particularly in the literary matchmaking chapter.
If you've visited her site or listened to a few podcasts, you know what is within the book.
Recommended: as a library copy, sure. For your home library, I'd suggest Trelease's book.
The book lists at the back are fine, and an attempt at adding some contemporary titles in addition to some older classics.
I was a bit distracted by the bubbly writing style, and disappointed at the lack of practical how-tos in some chapters, particularly in the literary matchmaking chapter.
If you've visited her site or listened to a few podcasts, you know what is within the book.
Recommended: as a library copy, sure. For your home library, I'd suggest Trelease's book.
inspiring
lighthearted
This book is Christian-based, and I wish I had known that before picking this up. It's not advertised as such on either the front or back cover, and while I don't mind that it's told from a Christian perspective, I wish the blurb was a little more open and honest about it. If you're already a Christian, this won't be an issue, but if you're any other faith or no faith, it's going to be a bit jarring reading practical advice about family storytime on one page and how said family storytime makes people better Christians on the next, especially when there was no indication of this in the book's blurb.
I highly recommend this book! Very motivating. I hadn’t heard of Sarah Mackenzie prior to this book, but I’ve now checked out some of her podcasts and website. Great stuff! The book has three parts. Part one focuses on the importance of reading aloud to our kids even after they can read on their own. How reading is the best and even easiest thing we can do to help and connect with our kids.
The second part focuses on practical steps to making your family a read-aloud family. I loved the chapter about debunking the five myths. Two really stood out to me: my kids should be sitting still while I’m reading to them and if you want reading aloud to make a difference you need to do a lot of it. Sarah explains that often her kids will be crafting or drawing while she’s reading aloud and are able to comprehend well, something even better! This was reassuring since I have two boys, one who is very fidgety when I’m reading. I also enjoyed the chapters about setting yourself up for success by making books accessible everywhere in your house, establishing routines, and compelling questions to ask about what you’re reading together.
The third last focuses on reading aloud with each age group (0-3, 4-7, 8-12, and teens). These chapters included about 20 books each along with a section explaining how to connect best with each age group, things that age can do while you read aloud, and favorite bible to read aloud for the age group.
The second part focuses on practical steps to making your family a read-aloud family. I loved the chapter about debunking the five myths. Two really stood out to me: my kids should be sitting still while I’m reading to them and if you want reading aloud to make a difference you need to do a lot of it. Sarah explains that often her kids will be crafting or drawing while she’s reading aloud and are able to comprehend well, something even better! This was reassuring since I have two boys, one who is very fidgety when I’m reading. I also enjoyed the chapters about setting yourself up for success by making books accessible everywhere in your house, establishing routines, and compelling questions to ask about what you’re reading together.
The third last focuses on reading aloud with each age group (0-3, 4-7, 8-12, and teens). These chapters included about 20 books each along with a section explaining how to connect best with each age group, things that age can do while you read aloud, and favorite bible to read aloud for the age group.
I have to give this book 5 stars as it changed my parenting life and pretty much hanged the way I parent overnight. This is one of only two books I have read that have had that kind of impact.
The message is simple- read aloud to your kids. This is not new and is something most of us already know and do. She goes a step further and advocates for reading aloud well past the point of when they can read themselves and into the teen years.
The emphasis on not only the science of all the benefits for your kids but also how to create a culture of story telling in your home and how that will create lasting bonds. Love love love this book.
The last section is book recommendations for various age groups and she has some great ones I had never heard of.
The author is religious and some
Non- religious readers may find that off putting as it is mentioned and part of her focus. It did not bother me.
I listened to this on audiobook which was read by the author and her voice really conveyed her passion and enthusiasm for this aspect of parenting which was contagious.
The message is simple- read aloud to your kids. This is not new and is something most of us already know and do. She goes a step further and advocates for reading aloud well past the point of when they can read themselves and into the teen years.
The emphasis on not only the science of all the benefits for your kids but also how to create a culture of story telling in your home and how that will create lasting bonds. Love love love this book.
The last section is book recommendations for various age groups and she has some great ones I had never heard of.
The author is religious and some
Non- religious readers may find that off putting as it is mentioned and part of her focus. It did not bother me.
I listened to this on audiobook which was read by the author and her voice really conveyed her passion and enthusiasm for this aspect of parenting which was contagious.
This book is full of great ideas for making reading aloud a part of family life and fostering a love of books in children. It also presents research into the academic and interpersonal benefits of reading aloud to children of all ages in a digestible manner. She also has a lot of recommendations throughout this book for other books and resources that more extensively deal with reading research in a scientific fashion.
For the naysayers out there in comment land, this is published as a Christian Life and Family book by Zondervan, which is an Evangelical Christian publishing company. The author occasionally mentions her faith and how it informs her parenting and decisions. Part of her faith-informed parenting was desiring a deeper connection with her children, which ultimately led to her founding the Read-Aloud Revival. The author's faith is NOT the main point of this book and she focuses more on scientific research and practical advice for developing a love for books in the family than anything else. There are, however, some good tidbits scattered here and there in this book specifically for Christian parents to consider.
That said, there's enough good, practical, well-researched advice in this book to assist any family, regardless of faith or lack thereof, in developing lasting connections through reading. So, if you're interested in enriching your family reading life, this book will point you in a great direction.
For the naysayers out there in comment land, this is published as a Christian Life and Family book by Zondervan, which is an Evangelical Christian publishing company. The author occasionally mentions her faith and how it informs her parenting and decisions. Part of her faith-informed parenting was desiring a deeper connection with her children, which ultimately led to her founding the Read-Aloud Revival. The author's faith is NOT the main point of this book and she focuses more on scientific research and practical advice for developing a love for books in the family than anything else. There are, however, some good tidbits scattered here and there in this book specifically for Christian parents to consider.
That said, there's enough good, practical, well-researched advice in this book to assist any family, regardless of faith or lack thereof, in developing lasting connections through reading. So, if you're interested in enriching your family reading life, this book will point you in a great direction.
This book is wonderful both for reading diehards and people who want to slowly introduce a reading culture to their family. I loved that this book goes so far beyond merely stating the obvious (“reading as a family is beneficial”) but also offers practical tips and takeaways to implement within the home. I also thought the chapter on compelling questions was gold as a teacher and facilitator of book groups. And the reason you must own this and not just borrow it from the library? Detailed synopses organized by age and an expansive reading list. This book will be a great reference for years to come.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Can Sarah Mackenzie and I just be best friends forever?
It is not every day that I get to read a book that completely matches my values and makes me feel understand as a parent. This book though... sigh. Everything she says just nails it for me. Truly. It has so much great information and advice, and it is very easy to read. The writing is fluid and enjoyable.
I will forever recommend this book to everyone!
It is not every day that I get to read a book that completely matches my values and makes me feel understand as a parent. This book though... sigh. Everything she says just nails it for me. Truly. It has so much great information and advice, and it is very easy to read. The writing is fluid and enjoyable.
I will forever recommend this book to everyone!