The New Read-aloud Handbook

When I'm feeling stressed, one of the things I like to do is read books about books.

It's a strange habit perhaps, but it brings me a certain kind of comfort. I don't really know how to rate these books because I'm not sure if they would be persuasive to those who are skeptical.

For me, it's not about being convinced or swayed by the arguments in the book. Instead, I come to them for the familiarity and the sense of agreement that they offer.

It's like visiting old friends or revisiting a favorite place. I know what to expect, and I find solace in that predictability.

Maybe it's not the most intellectually stimulating activity, but in those moments of stress, it's exactly what I need.

It allows me to escape from the chaos of the world and lose myself in the words and ideas of others.

And sometimes, that's all it takes to feel a little bit better.

This book truly exceeded my expectations in terms of the amount of information it contains.

It not only presents facts, statistics, and the reasons why parents should read to their children, but also sheds light on the recent impacts of TV, cell phones, e-readers, the internet, and so on. It shows how these modern technologies are affecting both children and adults.

Moreover, it provides valuable information about fathers taking an active role in influencing their children, especially boys, in education and reading.

This book has made me reflect on my own childhood and the significant amount of reading my parents did with me, a large part of which was the Bible. I firmly believe that this had the greatest impact on my life, as truth was instilled in me every single day.

While I may not agree with every conclusion the book reaches regarding how reading can make one more "successful" in human logic, I know that being successful in God's eyes is of utmost importance. Nevertheless, reading will无疑 be a great asset in achieving this.

I also really appreciate the treasury of books listed at the back of the book, which will guide me in choosing books for my children. Now, when I go to the library, I can be more purposeful in my selections rather than simply picking up whatever catches my eye at the moment.

Summer reading is about to begin!!

The "Treasury of Read-Alouds" that makes up the second half of this book actually saves the first half. The first half is essentially Trelease's opportunity to express his opinions on various aspects of parenting.

However, I was not at all a fan of the overall tone of the book. In particular, the way Trelease speaks to his readers in a condescending manner is quite off-putting. For instance, on page 32, he says, "Listening comprehension feeds reading comprehension. Sounds complicated, right? So let's make it simple." The only reason this statement might seem complicated is if the reader is unfamiliar with the word "comprehension."

This kind of tone makes the reader feel as if they are being talked down to, rather than being respected as intelligent individuals who are capable of understanding the concepts being presented. It detracts from the potential value of the book and makes it less enjoyable to read.

Overall, while the "Treasury of Read-Alouds" may have some useful content, the tone of the first half of the book is a significant drawback that could potentially turn readers away.

I have truly ambivalent feelings regarding this book.

On one hand, Trelease's treasury of read-aloud books is simply AWESOME. I would毫不犹豫 purchase this book solely for that part, and I award 5 stars to it, which is of great significance as it constitutes more than half of the book. Additionally, the overall essence of the book (reading aloud to your kids) is something I am deeply passionate about.

The remainder of the book, however, is rather lackluster. Some of the information is truly inspiring, while some of it simply fails to resonate with me. For instance, the writing and reasoning are deficient. The conclusions that Trelease deduces from the research he cites are often rather far-fetched. For example, "In the nearly ten years since the arrival of the [Harry:] Potter books, school crime was down, teen pregnancies declined, and teen smoking and drug use dropped." Well, what other random social statistics changed during those same ten years? I'm certain there were negative changes as well. Are those related to Harry Potter mania? I highly doubt it. But Trelease is completely suggesting that the reading obsession that grips kids during their Harry Potter years is linked to a decrease in teen pregnancies? What??? That requires an extremely substantial amount of research to establish any kind of useful correlation. And this is typical of many of his correlational claims throughout the book.

I did appreciate the emphasis on reading to children even as they grow older and are capable of reading independently. Trelease's information in that section is very interesting, and it's a practice that perhaps doesn't really occur to many of us.

So, basically, the Treasury of Read-Alouds makes this book entirely worthy of our time and even money. The rest of it is perhaps only worth a cursory glance.

P.S. What's with the Oprah worship? I mean, I concur that the woman is incredibly powerful and has utilized her power to get a large number of people reading and discussing books, and I think that's wonderful. But it's almost as if he was attempting to secure a spot on her show or something. (I wonder if he ever did...)

I was extremely disappointed in this book.

I had been seeking an accessible book to offer to undergraduates that would address how to conduct read alouds more effectively. Additionally, I hoped the book could also discuss the reasons behind the importance of read alouds. I was initially pleased that this book did touch on the significance of read alouds, even emphasizing the need to continue them after a child can read independently and for older students as well.

However, there are several major issues with this book.

Firstly, the research he cites is seriously flawed, inaccurate at times, and often outdated. I frequently found incorrect authors, titles, or publication dates when I traced his works cited or reading lists. This immediately raised concerns. Moreover, the way he presented information, even if the original source didn't, was often in a manner that placed the blame for illiteracy, reading gaps, and failure on areas that were already problematic, such as implicitly perpetuating racist and classist assumptions about literacy and success.

Secondly, from the start, he argues that the key to improving literacy is through information, shame, and fear. He uses the anti-smoking campaign as his model for increasing literacy in the US and then consistently condescends to the readers who most need his book to learn about literacy approaches at home and demonizes those who don't prioritize read aloud time for their children.

Thirdly, the book reads like an exaggerated infomercial for itself. Trelease repeatedly emphasizes that reading aloud to your child will lead them to an Ivy League school, make them an impeccably moral person with a high salary. He also frequently shares stories about how readers of previous editions of his book started reading aloud to their kids and now have successful and wealthy children.

Fourthly, the list of books recommended for read alouds is not inclusive and rather underwhelming. Even though published book lists are bound to become outdated, I didn't think his suggestions were very good examples, and it's difficult to find diverse representations within his list.

Finally, despite his attempt to degender reading and read alouds, he actually reinforces the feminized role of reading. He assumes that only women, especially heterosexual women in a traditional nuclear family, are reading his book.

Overall, if you're a parent, here are the key takeaways (excluding the flawed research he presents):

1. Read to your kids if you have the ability and resources.

2. If you can't read to your kids, audiobooks or wordless picturebooks can be a good supplement, but they're not a substitute for spending time with your children.

3. Exposure to language and positive experiences with books and reading will nurture your kids' relationship with reading and, consequently, with school.

If you're looking for reliable research on why it's beneficial to read to your kids or if you need guidance on how to do a good read aloud or resources for book choices, this book won't be of much help. If you're not a white, middle-upper class, privileged parent in a traditional nuclear family, take everything he says with a grain of salt. You can also consider the three points I mentioned above, search for other resources online, talk to a librarian, or even message me. Don't let his book make you feel the fear and shame that he explicitly states is his method of persuasion. If you are a white, middle-upper class, privileged parent in a traditional nuclear family, don't read his book and let it reinforce the idea that you're better than other parents because you follow his suggestions. Not everyone has the ability to do what he claims should be done. Please recognize the privilege you have if you can, something that Trelease doesn't do a very good job of acknowledging.

I had written a scathing review and gave this book one star. Then, my computer did something weird and the review was lost. A friend questioned the one star, so I thought I would rewrite the review.

Maybe I am a bit judgmental of books on parenting. I always think, "Why is there a book on this?? Why isn't common sense enough? We have to obsessively study the topic too?" Maybe I am the one who is way off and I should be a bit more interested in reading about different ideas as they pertain to raising my daughter. I was raised by two hyper-intelligent people who were the most hands-off parents you could meet. They were voracious readers, and as a direct result, I am a voracious reader. My mom was a tremendous cook, and as a direct result, I love to cook. My Dad was tall. Well, you see the pattern?? (haha)

I believe that if I want my child to be/do/feel/think in any particular way, I simply have to model that behavior and she will more than likely pick it up. I don't need to spend what little free time I have in life studying the topic.

I think we are all losing our minds and making raising kids way harder than it needs to be. Give them love, food, shelter, then get the heck out of their way--they will be who they are going to be in spite of you. That's my two cents for the day!

Perhaps I should be more open-minded when it comes to parenting books. After all, there could be some valuable insights that I'm missing. But for now, I'll stick to my belief that leading by example is the best way to raise a child. I'll continue to show her the importance of reading, cooking, and being true to herself. And I'll do my best to give her the love and support she needs while also allowing her the freedom to grow and discover who she is meant to be.

This is an extremely fantastic book that every parent should definitely own.

It truly provides valuable insights and helps you deeply understand the crucial need to read out loud to your children, and this includes teenagers as well.

The author elaborates on the significant fact that a child's listening level is higher than his reading level, which is of great importance.

This forms the first part of the book.

The remaining portion of the book is filled with reading lists that come with summaries about the books.

This is an incredibly great help for parents when it comes to picking out books that their children will absolutely love.

It offers a comprehensive guide and makes the task of choosing suitable reading materials for kids much easier and more enjoyable.

Overall, this book is a must-have for all parents who want to enhance their children's reading experience and development.

We all know how beneficial reading to our children is.

It can enhance their language skills, expand their vocabulary, and stimulate their imagination.

However, this particular book actually left me stunned in some parts.

The stories and illustrations were so engaging and thought-provoking that I found myself completely immersed.

I think every parent or teacher of young kids should read this book!

It offers valuable insights into the minds of children and provides practical tips on how to foster their love for reading.

By sharing these wonderful stories with our kids, we can not only strengthen our bond with them but also help them develop a lifelong passion for learning.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this book and start reading with your little ones today!