What to Read When

February 16, 2009
This volume by Allyn, director of the literacy organization LitLife, reminds parents that through reading aloud they can “teach the beauty of language and joys of rhythm and rhyme” and introduce their offspring to the “Big Wide World.” Part one of this book—a combination of Jim Trelease’s Read-Aloud Handbook
and Anita Silvey’s 100 Best Books for Children
—offers 10 reasons why parents should read to their kids: to develop shared values, to fall in love with language, to build comprehension, among them. Useful, too, are Allyn’s Four Keys, revealed in an apt mnemonic, READ: a Ritual of coming together in an Environment conducive to reading with Access to the right book at the right time for a Dialogue. Chapter Four’s 14 landmark books, from Pat the Bunny
to Harry Potter
(with Margaret Wise Brown, Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak titles included) will resonate with parents, but the best feature may be a brief section called “How to Read Aloud,” which teaches parents exactly how and why to read to children in order to elicit interest, engagement and response. The bulk of the book is Part three, “all the best books for the moments that matter most,” an alphabetical listing of 50 themes, from adoption to “New Baby” to “Your Imagination.”

Starred review from May 1, 2009
In this fun-filled, enriching book, Allyn ("The Complete 4 for Literacy"), the executive director of the literacy education organization LitLife, provides many ways to promote a love of reading to children and offers top-ten lists of reasons to read to kids that incorporate practical, easy-to-use tips to encourage literacy from a young age. Her four keys to helping a child become a lifelong readerRitual, Environment, Access, and Dialogue (READ)are invaluable. She includes frequently asked questions and suggestions on how to reward children for their love of reading, and she explains why it is wonderful to have children read a book over and over again. This is an indispensable guide to choosing age-appropriate books for children. Allyn provides a list of more than 300 titles on 50 themes including such issues as adoption, feelings about school, sharing, and coping with illness. This valuable resource for children's librarians, educators, and parents is highly recommended.Susan McClellan, Shaler North Hills Lib., Glenshaw, PA

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2009
Targeted principally at parents, Allyns earnestly utilitarian guide to read-aloud books for children promises to help you find the perfect books for the perfect times. To that end, she offers a potpourri of self-help tools including a readers ladder of titles for children from birth to age 10, 50 thematic lists of all the best books for the moments that matter most, 10 reasons for reading to kids, and four keys for helping children become lifelong readers. All of this material has its uses, but its presentation is often either cloying (especially when the author invokes her own family) or a bit too rah-rah for some readers. Her knowledge of the history of childrens literature is occasionally a bit spotty (she praises Margaret Wise Brown without ever acknowledging the influence of Lucy Sprague Mitchell), and is Stuart Little really suitable for reading to a six-year-old? Nevertheless, the author is at her best when she is discussing the inarguablealmost ineffableimportance of reading to and sharing books with kids. And here her enthusiasm and genuine passion are infectious. One hopes her spirit is catching.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)