Yes, people would definitely stand in line for days and pay hundreds of dollars. Yet, it’s all right there, in the words of a book. Read aloud, go to the library. Get that free ‘oral vaccine’ for literacy. Make a difference.
Thank goodness I read his book when my children were young. Since then, the Read-Aloud Handbook has had seven editions and is a million copy bestseller. Where does my drive and passion to read aloud come from? This book! This is it, the golden key. While Jim Trelease has facts and research and stories as proof, I have real, hands-on proof — the children I read to. Oh, what a difference it makes. I know, first hand.
Read this book.
Read aloud.
Make a difference.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
A high recommendation indeed!
Definitely!
You can’t beat those moments shared with a book an a child.
Absolutely!
Despite all his toys and electronic gadgets, Julie’s grandson always comes back to “Read me a story”. The books endure, when other diversions become boring.
Best wishes, Pete.
I’m so glad to hear that about Julie’s grandson, and I’m not surprised at all. Powerful good things pour into the brain from all the reading aloud. Best to you, Pete.
Oh, Jennie, I hope people will see this when they link to your blog from my post this week. It’s absolutely perfect and reinforces the message I hoped to convey! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Susan! I feel it is a straightforward and perfect message. When I write about the importance of reading aloud, I do it in different ways, always hoping to reach an audience. I hope your readers see this, too, when they link from your blog to mine. I’m always a champion for reading aloud! And you convey the best and most important messages. Really.
That means so much, Jennie. I so appreciate you!
That’s so nice, Susan. I feel the same way about you!
Good one, Jennie.
Thank you, John.
😊
Great recommendation, Teach!
Thanks!
This is new to me but I knew it anyway. Reading aloud to children wraps them in a warm blanket of love like nothing else. Nothing else like it.
Yes it does, Marlene. I heard him speak to a crowd of teachers and I was blown away. I think I have three editions of his book, from when my kids were little to the current one. Reading aloud does so much, best of all wrapping them in a warm blanket.
Spot on, Jennie. Hope you had a great week!
Thank you, Steve. It was a very good week. We are a nationally accredited school, and this week was “the visit” by the accreditors. It happens every five years, and preparing for it takes a full year. Hard, hard, hard. They were in my classroom for an hour, and it was awesome! Big whew! And, the quilt came to school for a visit, back from the big long arm machine. Gorgeous! Lots to blog about. Happy weekend to you.
Yeah! The power of reading aloud should never be underestimated and love the notion of this being a free ‘oral-vaccine’ for literacy! How true! It’s miraculous to come across a book that changes your life … sounds like this was one of them!
Thanks, Annika. It was one of those books. Best to you. 🙂
To read-aloud to children is both a gift to them and to oneself! 😊
Amen! 🙂
What about reading aloud to adults? The members of our writing group, the Sea Scribes, put on charity gigs where we mix music and stories and poetry. It seems to work. I’m due to read a story at a fete in June where there will be a choir and a poet. I don’t know who will be listening but it should be an interesting experience!
You are absolutely right, Julie. When I retire I want to read aloud at our Senior Center. The popularity of books on tape confirms that reading aloud to adults is just as important as to children. I would love to be there when the Sea Scribes do their charity event!
I listen to many novels through Audible and each time remember with fondness my teachers’ reading to us after lunch every day.
That is so wonderful, Elizabeth. The power of reading aloud really sticks.
And the felt sense of being read to.
Absolutely!
Every child, even the teens who were juvenile delinquents, enjoyed being read to. I never thought they would, but somehow it seems like something they never got when they were growing up. I was reading an adult story that I seem to remember reading when I was younger. It was written of the times and juvenile delinquents of the times. It is strange, but they seemed to tune in on it, and because I explained how the times the the juveniles were different, for better or worse, they got something out of it. I never forgot. It is never too late to start reading to children and even adults. They like it more than anyone would imagine. Perhaps it gives them something they missed out on earlier. –
Yes, YES!
What an interesting book, Jennie. I have always read and so, it was natural for me to read to my own boys.
You are not the norm, Robbie. Sadly, most parents do not regularly read aloud to their children, or take them to the library. I was one of those children. So, books that help parents see the wonderful benefits of reading aloud are very important. This one is the best!
Jennie, this is simply wonderful!
One of the most profound statements on the effects of reading aloud. This should make every parent run to the library! It made me run when my children were little. Good thing!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here is another wonderful post from Jennie!
Thank you, Charles!
When my children were very young they bombarded with every book I could get my hands on. Of course, doing the voices that went along with the story was mandatory… A great post. Jennie, thank you.
Lea, I’m so glad to hear how to read aloud to your children with enthusiasm and voices. Wonderful! Thank you so much!
Jennie, when I imagine you reading to the children there, you use voices as well. 😉 Thank you.
I do! 😀
I imagined you would. 🙂
Super post, Charles!! Can’t wait to share this with followers!! Great life changing idea! Love it.
Thank you!
Thanks for the wonderful recommend Jennie 🙂
You’re welcome, Debby. 😀
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
Thank you!