tell me a story
Filed Under Stuff, Tips & Tricks | May 22, 2009
As a follow up to last week’s article on why it matters who tells your tots their stories, we have a few hints from our resident kiddie lit expert on reading aloud:
Jim Trelease’s The Read-Aloud Handbook – in print since 1979 and into its 6th edition – is a treasure trove of information on the power and pleasure of reading. Trelease is a guru to countless parents, teachers and librarians, and he has infectious passion and excitement for reading aloud to children. Based on years of research, both academic and anecdotal, Trelease shares the scoop on why and when to read aloud. He recommends starting on day one with nursery rhymes and poems and to keep going from there.
His chapter on the phenomena of the Oprah Book Club, Harry Potter and the Internet is fascinating. Trelease analyzes how Oprah encouraged millions to start reading and enjoying literature. He delights that the last Harry Potter book prompted scores of children (and adults) to read and sold more copies in a week than any other book in publishing history. Trelease is a fan of the potential of the Internet, but he does outline his cautions about its merits.
The end of the book has an amazing treasury of read alouds. Beginning with a list of wordless books, he continues with a list of “predictable books” (no, not ones that everyone gives new babes, instead those with words or sentences repeated throughout,) then short synopses on books ranging from picture books to novels, from poetry to fairy tales. Once you start dipping into the treasury, you’ll be rushing to the nearest library or bookstore to try out some of the recommended titles.
And after all your research the best part awaits – snuggling up with your little ones and creating memories and emotional bonds as you read aloud. The following poem says it all and can be adapted for all you great yoyodaddies too:
You may have tangible wealth untold:
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be -
I had a mother who read to me.
Strickland Gillilan, The Reading Mother,
Best Loved Poems of the American People
Helen Moore is a children’s librarian who is the past Chair of the Canadian Library Association Amelia Picture Book Award. She loves to bring home books from any library to share with her two young sons, ages two and four.
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