the read-aloud handbook

What if I said I could grant you the power to make your child into a strong, competent reader with just one simple magic potion? Really, I can…almost. The trick is you have to invest thirty minutes a day from the time your child is born for as long as Junior lives under your roof. And… you have to enjoy it.

The magic potion is, of course, reading aloud to your child. All the experts agree: reading aloud to your children regularly accomplishes nothing short of miracles when it comes to motivating your children to want to read. And wanting to read is more than half the battle. Reading aloud will:

  • Build your child’s vocabulary
  • Condition your child’s brain to associate pleasure with the act of reading
  • Create background knowledge that will boost learning in all subject areas
  • Make you, the parent, the hero—the role model for reading
  • Build a desire to read

In Jim Trelease’s wonderful book, The Read-Aloud Handbook you’ll read about studies on reading acquisition and you’ll read personal stories of the ways reading aloud boosted reading success. Both studies and stories offer the same truth: Reading aloud to children from the day they’re born and never stopping is the single most miraculous action you can take to support your child’s reading success.

Trelease, a longtime writer and artist for the Springfield Daily News traveled widely, speaking to parents, teachers and librarians about the power of reading aloud to children. The Read-Aloud Handbook, initially self-published in 1979 and later published by Penguin Books is now out in its seventh edition and has sold over a million copies. Penguin recently named the book one of the 75 most important books published in Penguin’s 75 year history.

The book is a wonderful resource for parents and teachers. The first half of the book explores all the ins and outs of learning to read and the ways in which read-alouds can help. The second half of the book is a Treasury of Read-Alouds, lists of excellent books to use for all ages and stages of children learning to read.

You can find more about Jim Trelease, his writing and his reading instruction expertise at www.trelease-on-reading.com