Book Review and Contest: Baby Read-Aloud Basics
Jul 21st, 2008 by Diane Cordell
Diane Cordell is the mother of two adult, married children. In her position as a K-12 teacher/librarian, she interacts with students of all ages on a daily basis - good practice for future grandchildren! You can read more about Diane here. Diane also blogs at Journeys and can be found on Twitter as dmcordell. Click here to read more of Diane’s posts.
Read on to win a copy of this book - Baby Read-Aloud Basics!
Authors Caroline J. Blakemore and Barbara Weston Ramirez have written an engaging guide aimed at helping parents raise a lifelong reader.
Baby Read-Aloud Basics starts by explaining the benefits of reading to your child even before they are born to stimulate language development and help pave the way for success in school and in life.
In addition to tips on how to gain and hold a child’s attention, Blakemore & Ramirez include information on the stages of early childhood development and extensive, annotated lists of recommended books.
Chapter 10, “Fun Activities and Tips to Manage TV and Make a Language-Rich Home,” offers reasonable, practical advice about how to provide a balance between media and literature. There are ideas like creating a “reader’s nest” or designating a “read-aloud chair” and suggestions about how to set up a “language play area” for safe, creative playtime.
A copy of Baby Read-Aloud Basics, tucked into a basket of books, would make a wonderful shower gift. Include some childhood favorites of the prospective parents, and you’ll guarantee hours of interactive family fun for years to come.
Win a copy!
We have 5 copies of this book to give away - entering the contest is very simple!
Just leave a comment on this post telling the title of one of your favorite children’s books. Past winners eligible to enter and the contest ends on Monday, July 28th. U.S. entrants only (sorry!). The winners will be selected at random from the entrants.
Don’t forget to check out all of our other contests!
Disclosure: Diane received a free copy of the book to review.
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My daughters have two favorite books at this time — Green Eggs and Ham and Are you My Mother? Both Dr. Seuss books. Our oldest is quite fond of books. The youngest won’t sit still long enough to read through an entire book, which concerns me. I need to find ways to get her more interested in reading. Suggestions?
Rachelles last blog post..What an earthworm taught me about being a good mother
My favorite is Fox in Socks. It’s a Dr Seuss book and one long tongue twister, which I’ve always loved. I find Dr Seuss books to be fun to read over and over. Books with more plots to them really bore me once I’ve read them a few times and I’m always want to move on to another one. That’s probably why we have a couple hundred of them. LOL
I’ve always loved reading and I hope my kids get my love of reading instead of my husband’s “451″ attitude towards books. I worry, though, because they’re so active and don’t want to sit still. I end up reading while they’re bouncing off the walls. I don’t know if they are even paying attention, but I gotta try.
Michelle
Rachelle and Michelle,
As a K-12 librarian, I interact with students of all ages. Some of the things I’d recommend are:
•Flannelboards – I made an inexpensive, portable one by stapling flannel to an 11×14” piece of foamcore (even heavy cardboard would work). You can buy ready-made storytelling sets or create you own by drawing or downloading pictures on cardstock, protecting them with clear contac paper, then gluing flannel to the back. Use familiar characters or create stories from generic people and animals images
•Dress-up - keep a box or basket full of odd hats, shoes, shirts, etc. It’s easy to accumulate a treaure trove by shopping rummage sales and second-hand shops! Add simple, home-made props. Have the kids start out by acting out favorite stories, then branch out into creating original stories: active kids might decide to turn a backyard into Medieval England or repurpose a deck as a pirate ship.
•Puppets and Masks – get ideas for craft projects from the internet, magazines or books. Use these one-of-a-kind original art pieces for storytelling
•Visit a Library – bring your kids to a story hour, then let them choose some books for family sharing. Keep in mind that children can hear and understand literature at a higher level than they can read themselves. Classics like Charlotte’s Web or Wind in the Willows are appropriate for all ages when read aloud.
Diane Cordells last blog post..Palimpsest
Another librarian trick: kids love it when you vary your tone and create special “voices” for each character in a picture book. One of my older Journeys blog posts, Once Upon a Time Lasts Forever, discusses this strategy.
http://tinyurl.com/22hsm4
Right now, my two littlest are into all things Thomas the Tank Engine. My mom recently bought them a really nice compilation book of Thomas stories, “Thomas’ Big Storybook,” that we have been reading from every night.
Shannan Ps last blog post..This Mama Rocks!
Shannan,
Sometimes a movie or TV show might be the hook that catches a child’s interest and leads them to reading. Don’t neglect non-fiction either. For example, a lot of my Kindergarten students love to look at pictures of trains. Even if they can’t read a word of the text, they’re learning to search out and appreciate printed material.
Diane Cordells last blog post..Palimpsest
Not trying to win the contest, don’t worry
Rachelle - my daughter LOVES those 2 books as well, we have to read Are you my mother? every single night 
Both of my kids have adored these semi-board books with holes cut-out and little animals - a few of the titles are “Good night sweet butterflies” and “Ten Little Ladybugs”. My son has been pretty antsy and not liking to sit still for long, but just recently (at about 16 months) he started grabbing his favorites (usually the books i just mentioned or our big picture “First Words” books) and carrying them over to us.
My daughter has loved books since day one, so it was hard at first when I thought our son wasn’t as into books, but he’s just a different kid - Maggie gets way more into the words and the story and Jake’s all about the pictures.
Kate,
Perfect combo: an author and an illustrator. My daughter was all about fairy tales and mythology. She majored in writing and works in a library. My son read non-fiction (an almanac every Christmas!) and sports new. He majored in communications and has done some stints as a TV sportscaster.
Reading is reading; there’s something for everyone.
Diane Cordells last blog post..Palimpsest
My youngest son’s (17 mos. old) favorite is Goodnight Moon for bedtime. He also loves some books made of fabric that are interactive (have flaps, velcro, etc.) featuring his favorite character, Elmo. They fit well into his hands and are durable so that he can turn the pages himself.
My oldest (8 yrs old) loved all things Dr. Seuss when he was little, and now enjoys reading everthing from the Chronicles of Narnia to Spiderman comics - very eclectic reader!
One of the things I’ve tried to encourage him to do is to read the book before he watches a movie. Then we talk about the similarities and differences. Of course, he always loves the book more! (music to his former English teacher of a Mommy’s ears!)
Christine,
I saw a great interactive exhibit featuring Margaret Wise Brown’s books, including Goodnight Moon. Kids could walk into the bedroom, sit on the chair, etc.
It would be fun to recreate book illustrations at school or home.
Diane Cordells last blog post..Both are Transformed
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curious george is my favorite childrens book, thanks for the chance to win this
Harry the Dirty Dog was a favorite of mine as I was growing up.
Queen of the Clicks last blog post..Giveaway - $50 gift certificate
Yes I want to win this
It’s a Dr Seuss book and one long tongue twister, which I’ve always loved. I find Dr Seuss books to be fun to read over and over. Books with more plots to them really bore me once I’ve read them a few times and I’m always want to move on to another one. That’s probably why we have a couple hundred of them. Mygrandkids love them.Thanks
I’ve always loved reading and I know my grandkids would love them.
i always read ‘Guess how much i love you’ to my son in utero.
sarah bs last blog post..Recovery
The Pokey Little Puppy has always been a favorite of mine.
i always loved the little house series
Congratulations! The winners are Christine, Connie, Queen of the Click, Sarah, and Shannan. I’ll be emailing you to get your mailing addresses.
Thanks for reading and make sure to check out the rest of our contests!