How To Build A Love Of Reading
Welcome! I hope you will enjoy reading this lens about the fun (and importance) of reading aloud with your family. I'll discuss why reading together is so great for families, what kinds of books make good read-aloud material, what ages to read to, and of course you'll find a list of wonderful books to start with plus links to other articles and suggestions that will get you off on the right track. Whether you're just starting out or are a reading aloud pro, this lens is for you. Please feel free to add your favorite books and comments in my guestbook. With so many books to choose from in libraries and bookstores, your recommendations mean a lot.
Family Members Who Read Together Stay Together
or, it's the book that binds
The Hobbit, Black Beauty, The Secret Garden, A Wrinkle In Time... do any of these books bring back great childhood memories? They do for me. You see, I am an avid reader (okay, you really wouldn't want to know how many books I can devour in a week's time). The summer between grades 3 & 4 I read 103 regular size children's novels. Unfortunately, the weren't read aloud with my family. You see, my parents stopped reading aloud after I started school. And so we never shared together all the lovely stories I cherish from my childhood.I vowed I would not let that happen when I had children. These stories of adventure, love, friendship, family togetherness, fantasy and more are meant to be shared with someone you love.
If you have older children, you probably already know that the last offering in the Harry Potter series came out last July. It's a fun addition to your list of books to read or talk about.
Many parents and grandparents are busy with Christmas shopping. Be sure to add great books to your list of christmas gifts this year. I still have signed copies of books given me by a favorite aunt as I grew up. They have become cherished memories of her now that she has passed away. Especially in this day of computer and video games, a beautifully bound book with a special message from you is something to be treasured.
Reading Aloud In The News
Timely articles about the importance of reading aloud to kids.
Reading aloud is certainly newsworthy. Just check out these great articles about how families and communities are supporting and making it work.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBook Lover Shopping Websites For Families Who Read
Find Special Gifts for Readers
- Biblio Gifts
- Great collection of reading t-shirts and gift items including book lover clocks, Kiss Me I'm A Librarian t-shirts, Encourage A Healthy Addiction - Read To Your Children t-shirts and other funny book lover slogans.
- The Reader's Shop
- The Reader's Shop offers gifts and apparel that showcase books, reading, librarians, well anything to do with the world of books. Find I Love My Library t-shirts, My Mommy Reads To Me tees, Born To Read and other fun bibliophile slogans.
- Main Street Book Lover T-shirts
From I Love Mr. Darcy to A Room Without Books Is Like A Body Without A Soul, you'll find many fun reading slogans on sweatshirts, book tees, canvas library totes, reading mugs, kids reading apparel and more. Stocking stuffers include reading magnets, book lover buttons and keepsake boxes and other items.- Melanie's Library Shop
- This fun shop is organized by the Dewey Decimal system! Look under 000-099 for books, librarianship, and under 800-899 for writing, poetry, drama, novels, literary theory & criticism, and Shakespeare. Find fun t-shirts, stocking stuffers for readers and other Christmas gifts for your favorite bibliophile.
- Personalized Children's Books
This website offers wonderful personalized books for children ages 0-12, which include their name right in the story.
- Scholastic Children's Books
- Border's Books and Music
- Snoopy Store
- This shop carries all kinds of Snoopy and Peanuts Gang t-shirts, posters, mugs and gifts. I still remember reading many a Charlie Brown and Snoopy book out loud with friends in grade school.
Our Family Read-Aloud Favorites
Just had to share our favorite books.
- A Little Princess
My Father's Dragon
The Harry Potter series
The Mouse That Roared
The Wonderful Flight To The Mushroom Planet
Calling On Dragons
A Walk Into The Woods
Chin Ling The Chinese Cricket - The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Henry Reed's Journey by Keith Robertson
Henry Reed's Babysitting Service by Keith Robertson
Rascal by Sterling North
101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith
The Phantom Tollbooth
San Francisco Boy by Lois Lenski - Little Britches by Ralph Moody
Man of the Family by Ralph Moody
The Home Ranch by Ralph Moody
Mary Emma and Company by Ralph Moody
The Fields of Home by Ralph Moody - What's For Lunch, Charley?
The Narrow Escapes Of Solomon Smart
Misty of Chincoteague
The House At Pooh Corner
Tico And The Golden Wings - Horton Hears A Who - Dr. Seuss
C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles Of Narnia
The Happy Hollisters (large series)
Mrs. McFig And Her Very Big Wig - soon to be published! - NOT IN PRINT BUT CHECK ON EBAY OR AMAZON:
Old Black Witch by Wende & Harry Devlin
Venus Boy (great story; very hard to find)
Links to Reading Aloud Resources
articles, other blogs, where to buy books and more
- RIF Makes A Case for Reading Aloud
- RIF - Reading is FUNdamental, makes it case for the importance of reading aloud.
- English Children's Laureate Adds Her Stamp of Approval
- The Children's Laureate for 2005-2007, Jacqueline Wilson, offers sounds words of advice about not missing out on the reading experience with the over 5 crowd.
- MORE Milestones Books Reading and Literacy Shirts
- To help promote literacy wherever you go, check out our reading bumper stickers and t-shirts for librarians, volunteers, reading teachers, parents and of course children of all ages who are learning to read! 100's of designs to choose from, from Jane Austen to Sherlock Holmes, I Love Books to Future Reader.
- Do's and Dont's For Reading Aloud from Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook
- Jim Trelease offers great ideas for every family to make reading aloud a natural part of your family life.
- Great Reading T-shirts And Gifts For The Whole Family
- Want to promote the love of reading? Here's a great website that offers tons and tons of fun reading designs on t-shirts in sizes for the whole family. Book tote bags, reading buttons, kids reading shirts and baby book designs on onesies and bibs, plus tons more.
- Publish Your Own Children's Book!
- Children love to hear stories their parents have made up. Do you think your stories could appeal to others too? Why not take it a step further, and publish your own children's book? Here is a link to one company... if you pursue it let others know what your experience is like in our guestbook.
- A Way To Publish Books On Demand
- Or, if you are interested in publishing your special family stories one book at a time, CafePress offers black and white (no color at this time) printing and binding services. You can create your own book, and buy just one copy, or let other family members buy them! Or, if you're ambitious, you can offer them to the public right on CafePress.
- What Makes A Good Young Picture Book ?
- WHAT MAKES A GOOD YOUNG PICTURE BOOK?
Marilyn Singer asked a group of authors, editors, and other book people this question. Here are their responses, along with some of their recommended titles...
A good picture book should also be a good read aloud book in my opinion. - Landmark Editions Nat'l Children's Book Contest
- Children ages 6 to 19 who are interested in writing and illustrating their own children's book can enter the "David Melton Memorial Written and Illustrated By..." contest for kids, offered through Landmark Editions.
For more information, see their website. - Make Your Own Read Aloud Literacy T-shirts
It doesn't get any easier than this, a website that provides the tool to design your own book lover t-shirts! Add your own slogan, and/or your own photo, then click and purchase. You can see what you are making as you create it. Choose from many fonts and colors to express yourself with. Shirt styles for men, women and kids are offered, with several color choices. This is really a fun way to make unique shirts that say exactly what you want them to. Great for library staffs or reading specialists too.- What Books Do You Read Aloud?
What books do you read aloud to your kids and why?
Reading T-shirts And Gifts For Book Lovers
Great Read Aloud Books On Amazon
buy and ship straight to your door
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7
Looking for a special gift? This boxed set of all seven Harry Potter books is perfect. Beautifully packaged, great for the serious Potter fan.
Amazon Price: $122.85 (as of 08/30/2008)
Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers
The beginning of the Ralph Moody series... it will whet your appetite for more. Collect them all - you'll be glad you did.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 08/30/2008)
Henry Reed, Inc. (Puffin Books)
If your family has never met Henry Reed, you are in for a treat. This creative young entrepeneur finds many ways of making money, from scientific research to babysitting, in the Henry Reed series of books. Laugh out loud fun in Henry Reed, Inc., Henry Reed's Babysiting Service, and Henry Reed's Journey (a personal favorite.)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
The Time Quartet Box Set (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters)
Before Harry Potter there was Madeleine L'Engle's great science fantasy collection. Still relevant in today's world, these books are wonderful read aloud material. Ms. L'Engle has other books we have enjoyed, such as her Austin family series. Try them all!
Amazon Price: (as of 08/30/2008)
Old Favorites Now On Amazon!
Tico and the Golden Wings (Knopf Children's Paperbacks)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
My Father's Dragon
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
Old Black Witch!
Wonderful story and a great read aloud favorite! If you find a copy at a good price, grab it. It is sure to become a treasured book in any family.
Amazon Price: (as of 08/30/2008)
A Fish Out of Water
I have this book memorized, we read it so often to our oldest son. Imaginative and timeless.
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 08/30/2008)
Books pics to whet your appetite!
Oh! Do you remember when I told y'all about my Dad building me a long bookshelf...
There is dad reading to Olivia - one of her favorite books called
Ilustraci%uFFFDn de Alan Lee para el cap%uFFFDtulo %uFFFDUna tertulia inesperada%uFFFD de %uFFFDEl H...
The Misty of Chincoteague statue at the Kentucky Horse Park.
After Piglets failure in
What books are hidden under these censored covers? Find out by lifting up the &...
Wish List Book - I hope to own a copy one day
Love Our Read Aloud Lens - Please Stumble It.
If you are a StumbleUpon user, please stumble our lens so other parents can find it too. Thanks!
Vintage Children's Books
I'm apparently not alone in my need to collect vintage children's books. Here are a few other collections for you to enjoy.
Rustic cabinet in the living room holds my Oz books and other vintage children's...
I took this of my Children's book collection that I keep in my preschool classro...
Vintage Children's books (my main passion), sewing patterns and linens in a vint...
Lloyd's of Kew window display
Shelves of antique children's adventure books.
Share Your Favorite Books Too
Family reading favorites.
Does your family have a list of favorite books? Just add them here, so others can check them out! Don't have a lens? It's easy to make one...
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RedPanda25
Great lens! Welcome to my Childrens' Books group! I really enjoyed your lens! 5* Posted July 28, 2008 |
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rms
Thank you for adding this great lens to the Our Favorite Squidoo Lenses Group! Posted July 03, 2008 |
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LittleLambs
It is so important to read to your kids! I read my 16 month old several books every day. She loves books. Kids who have been read to do so much better in school. They come to school more prepared than kids who haven't been read to. Posted May 03, 2008 |
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Margaret_McKinney
Wonderful list! I'm not a parent, but I have given my niece and nephew 100's of books which inspired me to create my own website about books for preschool to adults. Margaret. Posted April 01, 2008 |
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BookMom
My favorite books include anything published by Usborne! Posted March 19, 2008 |
Vintage Children's Books On eBay
Find old favorites or discover a new read-aloud favorite when you browse these book offerings on eBay.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Read Aloud Favorites For Older Children
Pre-teen and Teenage Kids Can Love Read Aloud Family Circles
Here are a few of my personal favorites; add yours in the guestbook below!
- Victory - Susan Cooper
Harry Potter Series later books - J.K. Rowling - Shaking The Nickel Bush by Ralph Moody
The Dry Divide by Ralph Moody
Horse Of A Different Color by Ralph Moody
These are the final three books in the series that Ralph Moody wrote about his experiences growing up. The style is more grown up, with Ralph being a young adult and dealing with life on his own. Very family friendly!
Read Aloud How-To Books
Learn about reading aloud from the experts.
The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition (Read-Aloud Handbook)
Jim Trelease Read-Aloud Handbook
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 08/30/2008)
Hey! Listen to This: Stories to Read Aloud
Stories to Read Aloud by Jim Trelease
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 08/30/2008)
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike
Wonderful ideas for getting your child to love books and reading.
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 08/30/2008)
The Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists
Love lists? You'll love this book of children's literature lists.
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 08/30/2008)
Baby Read-Aloud Basics: Fun and Interactive Ways to Help Your Little One Discover the World of Words
Interact with baby and get an early start with reading.
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 08/30/2008)
Share your opinion about reading aloud.
Sound off about reading aloud to kids.
Here's your chance to tell how you feel about reading aloud to kids. Does it really make a difference? Answer in the poll, and you can also leave a note in the guestbook.
Back To School With Great Books
New Read Aloud Favorites For The 2008-2009 School Year
Tip - Since kids love repetition,consider purchasing some of these to continue reading aloud at home after the teacher has finished the book.
New Additions To Favorite Book Series'
Read Aloud Series Books Are Great
The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6)
New Book In The Artemis Fowl Adventure Series
Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 08/30/2008)
