The Between the Lions (R) Book for Parents: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Child Learn to Read [Paperback]

Linda K. Rath (Author), Louise Kennedy (Author), Christopher Cerf (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2004

Learning to read is one of the most important challenges children face, but parents don'talways know how to help their children master the complex skills involved. With this wonderful new book, based on the award-winning public television series Between the Lions®, parents of children ages four to eight will find all the information they need to help their children navigate this exhilarating -- but sometimes mysterious -- journey.

Since its premiere in 2000, Between the Lions has become one of the most popular children's series on television -- and research shows that it actually helps children learn to read. Based on the literacy curriculum that underlies this innovative, entertaining series, The Between the Lions Book for Parents draws on the latest and most reliable research to give parents practical tips to help smooth their children's path to reading and writing. Practical, comprehensive, and fun, it's helpful both for children who are struggling a bit and for those who are moving along just fine. Parents will find a wealth of specific information about what children should learn every year, how to help them learn it, and how to tell if they're running into difficulties.

Whether your child isn't getting a comprehensive program of instruction at school or you just want to stimulate an interest in books at home, The Between the Lions Book for Parents is an essential addition to every parent's home library.

So enter the world of Between the Lions and help your child fall in love with reading.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Parents of preschoolers are probably familiar with the PBS children's series Between the Lions, which features a family of warm and fuzzy lion librarians and their cubs and friends. This book, by Between the Lions curriculum director Rath, and Kennedy, a journalist, is strictly for parents (despite the hokey lion cartoon illustrations sprinkled throughout the text). Part I focuses on the curriculum, but the real meat of the text is found in the following chapters, in which the authors provide an age-by-age guide to reading development, along with activity guides and book lists. While pointing out that each child is unique and follows his own path to literacy, the authors nevertheless offer parents a guideline for anticipated literacy and reading milestones from preschool to grade three. They outline the development of reading skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension) and reveal what kids should be learning in school as well as what parents can do at home to add reinforcement. Storytelling, reading aloud and creating a print-rich environment are just a few of the many suggested methods the authors provide to encourage a love of reading and help kids find success. The book's format is especially appealing; readers can cut to the chase and find the chapter that covers their own child, or read ahead to find out what skills will be coming up in future years. This is a helpful resource for parents who want to enrich their child's reading experiences.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Animated librarians Theo and Cleo Lion and their cubs from the PBS television series Between the Lions form the centerpiece of this resourceful parents' guide to teaching children how to read and fostering a lifelong enjoyment of reading. Rath, curriculum director for the popular show, and Boston Globe reporter Kennedy look at the characters and the teaching methods used on the show and provide an overview of various theories of teaching reading to children. The second part of the book focuses on developing appropriate grade-level skills for reading and writing, offering parents suggested books, spelling lists, and other activities to encourage reading. A chapter is devoted to helping children who struggle with reading because of problems such as dyslexia or attention-deficit disorder. The final section offers activities for children of all ages and resources. Parents and teachers will enjoy this imaginative resource with tie-ins to the award-winning show. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060510277
• ISBN-13: 978-0060510275
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice companion to the show, June 5, 2004

By 

Brenda "MYSHELFDOTCOM" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Between the Lions (R) Book for Parents: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Child Learn to Read (Paperback)

_Between the Lions_ joins Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street on PBS.

The creators of BTL have created a companion book for parents. It has everything one needs to help a child discover, learn, and enjoy reading, beginning with preschool and ending with third grade.

An important section to read is "How to Use the Book." At first glance it seems almost too technical, but don't worry, the reasons will eventually become clear.

The authors' believe "children learn to read when they receive both instructions in reading skills and introduction to the value of understanding what they read." Their approach, in both the show and the book, is "practical, comprehensive, and fun."

In the series, the writers use wonderful, lively characters to keep the young ones' attention. In the book, the writers use various methods to keep the parents reading. The chapters are marked by grades and throughout the book are patterned pages with vital information and explanations about reading, writing, and sounding out words. The patterned pages make for quick access.

The book gives explanations of the five key areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. There are grade-by-grade guides for preschool through third grade, as well as information on reading and learning disabilities; also lists of resources, including books and web sites and a glossary. It's the most comprehensive companion book I have ever seen.

Parents, be sure to do your child's preschool or elementary teacher a favor and bring this book to their attention.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roaring approval for "Between the Lions", January 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Between the Lions (R) Book for Parents: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Child Learn to Read (Paperback)

How did we get along without this book? It is indispensible for anyone who wants to help their children master their reading skills. And who wouldn't want to do that? "Between the Lions" opens up whole worlds to all levels of the family and is the perfect antidote to the piles and piles of plastic that accumulate in homes this time of the year. It's the best gift I received this holiday season.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have For All Parents, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Between the Lions (R) Book for Parents: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Child Learn to Read (Paperback)

There are scads of studies linking the ability of children to read well with all kinds of other things: future academic achievement, success in the job market--you name it. This book artfully takes the mystery out of the process of helping your little one tackle the task of reading--in a very conversational and commonsense way. There are fun graphics throughout, and the book is not at all "academic". It also has terrific age specific reading lists--for your child to read alone, and for you to read aloud to your child. The late Captain Kangaroo and Fred Rogers would have approved--and so will your children!! Buy it today!