Customer Reviews

Fun with Dick and Jane

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fine story, but if you're ordering such a book, I would recommend a bigger, thicker book of Dick and Jane, and you will see that this story will be in there too, along with many other stories. This book is only 32 pages long and a child can read that in fifteen minutes (some pages only have a couple of words on them), so to me it's not worth the money. If you want nightly reading, buy a book of Dick and Jane that is at least 100, or more pages long. You will get the same results, but more stories. Not to mention, it's only about six bucks more, and hardcover. Most of Dick and Jane's hardcover books are at least 144 pages long. My kids love this story, but you will find the same stories in the hardcover version, with a lot more stories to excite your child. These are great beginner readers, and you'll find that your child won't want to stop reading once they read the first couple of pages because reading makes them feel independent, and grown-up. How disappointing it will be to put the book down and not have more stories to read.

These books are so plain and simple, many parents will write them off, thinking there will not be enough pizazz to entertain their children. But what so many parents forget, is although it may not entertain adults, children do not need much.

The simple phrases and illustrations leave so much to the imagination. Children without imaginations will not appreciate these. What child does not have an imagination? Exactly my point. They all do, and a simple book like this allows them to utilize it. DOn't deprive your child of the simple pleasures that we grew up with. Simple pleasures are more difficult to obtain these days, with so many affordable toys and games, and easy access to them all. This book is actually a gift that your child will treasure.

I loved these books when I was a child. I had severe problems at home but these books were an escape from bad thoughts. Today, I think we spend too much time reminding children of how terrible things are instead of giving them a look at hopeful, happy situations. Some problem books are good and I wish there had been more of that when I was a child. I'm just saying we overdo the bad stuff.

Another good thing about these books is teaching sight words. Phonics are important but so are sight words. For modern happy stories with sight words, use Betsy Lee's Dolch sight word books such as Albert, the Apple Eating Appaloosa.

I also recommend books by MisterRogers (Fred Rogers) and his TV show.

I bought this book for my daughter who was getting comfortable with reading beginner phonics books and was ready for that next step.
WOW! She really loves reading this book, over and over again.
Some beginner books really aren't beginner books because they don't
offer the kind of repetition of words that help a child build confidence in their ability to read by themselves. Not so with this book....I'm going to order more Dick and Jane books!

Repetition is a basic learning strategy for younger children. "Oh look. Look. Look." Phrases like this are often used in this book. Older children and adults find this style funny but this repetition is very helpful for beginning readers and struggling readers.

It is a joy to see children gain confidence practicing their words with stories that offer clean, innocent fun. We need more of these kinds of stories for children.

These books, first published in the 1930's, are nostolgic, charming and sweetly illustrated. They're a great little piece of history both parents and children can enjoy.

However, it should be noted that the current publisher, Grosset & Dunlap, has publicly stated that these titles are offered for their entertainment value only and shouldn't be used as teaching tools.

The language used in the D & J series, with its oft-repeated, simple words, was part of the "whole-word" approach to teaching reading, which was pilloried in "Why Johnny Can't Read." And indeed, decades of research have shown that phonics is the approach that works. It is with good reason that California abandoned "whole-word" teaching methods early on and current federal standards specifically require a phonic-based curriculum.

So buy, read and enjoy, but when your child needs a leg-up with his/her reading, turn to phonics instead.

The prose is a little dated (at least in the volumes I have) and if you are convinced that gender stereotypes (girls playing with dolls and boys playing baseball...gasp!) will scar your child then look elsewhere, but you will not find a better way to build reading confidence at an early age and reinforce basic phonics than the Dick and Jane series. For adults, the repetition "Come Dick. Come Jane. Come and Go. Go. Go. Go." can be tedious, but rote memorization coupled with basic phonics and word recognition is the simplest, least stressful way to introduce your child to reading.

I learned to read on these back in the very early 70's and decided that if they were good enough to get me reading 1-2 grades above my own throughout my primary education, they were good enough for my kids. My 7 year old started with these at age 5 and very quickly mastered simple words he used every day like "go" and "play". He was proud when I told him he had read his first sentence..who cares if it was only two words long? He also liked the fact that the stories were so short (typically just a few sentences or a couple of VERY short paragraphs)..he was reading a real "chapter book" just like the big kids!

Now my 5 year old has started where her brother (now reading solidly at the 2nd grade level) left off and has already gone through all her brother's books, working on her phonics and word recognition skills. She was VERY excited to hear that I ordered more Dick and Jane books just for her...that alone tells me all I need to know about the value and enduring appeal of these simple, yet effective teaching tools.

Being a 63 year old grandfather of six makes me somewhat of an expert on what works and what doesn't. Besides bringing back warm memories of days gone by, this book captures and holds the attention of those yearning to read for themselves. Reading can be hard, frustrating work, or reading can be fun. Guess which keeps the little ones involved for longer periods of time? And a tip for you parents who want your four year or five year old to read proficiently, don't push or pressure. They will self-engage as soon as their hearts and minds are ready. The careful coordination of pictures and repetition of words makes Dick and Jane outstanding teachers in their own right. These are a perfect adjunct to phonic reading.

I ordered this product for my wife and she loves it, but the packaging was not very good and the binding was damaged in the mail. With a little work I was able to repair it and keep it.

I thought my son had a reading disability. It turns out that Dick and Jane books are no longer used in traditional schools. My son needs patterns to read, as he his a "right-brained" learner. The patterns in this style of book is perfect for him to learn to read and catch up with his class. "See Jane run!" I was raised by a single father in the 1970s. I can assure you, nothing in these books mirrored my life. But, like my son, I am right-brained and I required patterns to learn. My son is a bright boy and when he sees his mommy drive off to work, he'll understand that the book he's reading is non-fiction, not a biography. And, by the way, I still have lots of friends who stay home and make the home while daddy drives off to work. No shame in that. Great book. I'm so glad I found these old friends who will help my son read in a way that was removed from schools.