The Best Time to Read (Picture Book) [Hardcover]

Debbie Bertram (Author), Susan Bloom (Author), Michael Garland (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Book

The little boy from The Best Place to Read can now read by himself, and he's looking for an audience. But everyone--his parents, siblings, grandparents, even his dog!--is too busy to hear a story in this fun and lively tale. When our young reader finally settles in to read to his toys, he gets a surprise visit and learns that the best time to read is whenever you have loved ones to listen! With catchy, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud--anytime!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–A boy is excited about his newly acquired ability to read and wants to share a book aloud with someone in his family. He goes through the house and yard trying to find a listener, but everyone is busy and (unfortunately) caught in a stereotypical moment: Mom is cooking; Dad is mowing the lawn; Grandma is knitting; sister is in a quandary over what to wear; brother is at the computer; and Grandpa is napping. Just when he's about to give up and is resigned to read aloud to his stuffed animals, his family comes through. The computer-enhanced artwork gives the characters a shiny, plastic-doll appearance. This rhyming story is not about the magical connection between a reader and a wonderful book, but it speaks of reading as a social activity that involves love and fun, and that may be its strength.–Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. A proud young boy who has just mastered reading tries to find someone to listen to him demonstrate his new talent. But Mom is making beef stew, Dad is mowing, big brother is at the computer, big sister is trying on clothes, and so on. No one has time to listen to him read--not even Rover, who bolts at the sound of kibble in his dish. However, no sooner does he go to his bedroom to read to his bunnies and bears than there's a knock on his door: his entire family is ready to listen. Like The Best Place to Read (2003), the authors' first book about reading, this is presented in rhyme. Collage-style illustrations use patterned backgrounds to backlight the wide-eyed, plasticine-like faces of the characters and capture the elation of that magic moment when the lightbulb clicks: "I can read all by myself!" Budding bibliophiles arise! Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375830251
• ISBN-13: 978-0375830259
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super, May 20, 2006

By 

Dr. Nathan Greenbaum - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best Time to Read (Picture Book) (Hardcover)

An exellent and delightful work!
A pleasure to have and hold.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Family Takes Time To Listen, January 12, 2012

By 

Janette Fuller (Willis, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best Time to Read (Picture Book) (Kindle Edition)

"May I read to you?", asked the young boy.
A young reader is searching for someone to listen to him read aloud. Is there anyone in his family who will take time to listen?
"The Best Time to Read", by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom, is a rhyming picture book that will entertain and delight young readers.

This picture book features a young boy who is just learning to read. He has a book in his hand and goes to each member of his family asking them to listen to him read the book aloud.

Unfortunately, it seems that everyone is busy and the boy retreats to his room to read to his stuffed animals. Wait! He hears a knock at his door and his entire family (even the dog) wants to listen to the boy read.

The book ends with a family story time on the floor of the boy's room.

When I worked as an elementary school librarian, I was always looking for books that would promote reading. This rhyming picture book is a perfect example of the kind of material that I enjoyed sharing with my students.

This book was originally published in 2005 and was released as an ebook for the Kindle in February, 2011. I viewed the book on my Kindle 3 (black-and-white pictures) and the Kindle for PC application (color pictures). The color illustrations, by Michael Garland, are amazing and add depth and emotion to the text. The black-and-white illustrations are clear and bright.

Each page of the book consists of a picture and three lines of text on the Kindle. The text appears above the picture and is clear and easy to read. The pictures take up about one-third of the screen and the lower portion of the screen is blank - it would have been nice to see the pictures filling up the entire screen.

This story promotes reading and family unity. Parents are often "too busy" to spend quality time with their children. This book reminds us that the time we spend with our children is a wise investment. Highly recommended as a read-aloud selection and for independent reading.