The Read-Aloud Handbook (Penguin handbooks) (Paperback)

by Jim Trelease (Author) "It boils down to a simple, two-part formula: The more you read, the better you get at it; the better you get at it, the..." (more)
Key Phrases: Harry Potter, The Read-Aloud Handbook, The New York Times (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The newly revised and updated fifth edition of The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease uses his trademark Q&A format to address such issues as television, library funding and the Harry Potter phenomenon. A "Treasury of Read-Alouds" in the back of the book suggests starting points for parents.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
No household with children should be without a copy of The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. --The Sacramento Bee

This book is about more than reading aloud. ItÂ’s about time that parents, teachers, and children spend together in a loving, sharing way. (The Washington Post) The Read-Aloud Handbook promises to give parents, teachers, and all others who care about children, reading, and the pursuit of happiness new inspiration. (The Denver Post) --na --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 1 edition (September 30, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140465340
• ISBN-13: 978-0140465341
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,255,051 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're a parent, you must read this book!, May 10, 2001

By	Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Read-Aloud Handbook: Third Revised Edition (Read-Aloud Handbook) (Paperback)

The best thing you can give your child is the love of reading. Being a good reader will not only help your child in school, but your child will have a lifetime's worth of learning nad pleasure ahead of him!

My own children are in their late teens and early 20's and I was fortunate enough to hear Jim Trelease speak at a public library many years ago, probably soon after the first edition of The Read Aloud Handbook came out. We started reading to our oldest child when she was 4 months old and as the others came along, they were read to from birth since we were reading to the older one(s).

This book is incredibly inspiring - Jim gives so many great suggestions on what books to read to your kids, and how to interest kids who may be reluctant to enter into reading themselves.

Just the list of books alone would be worth the price of this book! I know that we wouldn't have known about some of the books we read to our kids without Jim's book.

Jim Trelease also covers the issue of TELEVISION in his book. He gives very convincing reasons for turning OFF the TV and reading instead. I had already made the decision for our family that we weren't going to allow the children to watch endless hours of TV (even though all they watched was Sesame Street and Mister Rogers!), but Jim's book confirmed my decision.

My kids all enjoy reading - and my husband and I have always been readers. For me, the book was just confirming what I already knew - and it gave me so many good titles to find at the library! I remember reading "Stone Fox" to our girls and what a great experience that book was.

Public libraries are a wonderful resource, but they don't take the place of having a child OWN some books of his own. Tell family members to buy your children books for Christmas and birthday gifts. When you can, buy hardcover as they will last a lot longer. Look up some of the books Trelease recommends here on Amazon - you can read reviews and make some good choices.

Children today are TOO BUSY - most kids have more activities than anyone could possibly handle and still have time to stop and just be! 10-15 years ago, kids would play a sport, or play an instrument, take dance lessons, or be in Scouts. They might do two of these things. But I know kids who do them ALL, plus more things I haven't mentioned. And one of the things that gets cut out with all the busy-ness is READING. Meals together as a family fall by the wayside and kids and parents are so exhausted from running around with all the activities that they don't read books and the parents are too tired to read to them.

If you have young children, please consider fighting this pressure to sign your child up for every available activity. Take time to enjoy your family - the kids grow up much too fast!

And give your kids the gift of reading - buy a copy of this marvelous book, consult it often, and you'll enjoy a richness of family life that your kids will remember forever!

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is the best gift you can give a parent or child., October 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Read-Aloud Handbook: Third Revised Edition (Read-Aloud Handbook) (Paperback)

I received this book as a gift when my son, now 6, was born. It's BY FAR, the BEST GIFT I EVER RECEIVED. I have since bought the latest edition to update myself on the latest read-aloud treasury, and the updated information on how we can inspire reading in our children. I have relied on the treasury in the book to guide me through the morass of children's books available, and my children have come to love many of the books, and authors listed. (When I asked my six-year old what books he wanted to get at the library the other day, he told me "Maybe something by Shel Silverstein".)

Jim Trelease's words have inspired me to share my read-aloud experiences with my friends, and I have bought many of them copies of their own. His common sense approach to how we can garner interest in reading in our schools should be required reading by educators. I agree with another reviewer who said she wishes she had money to buy every teacher in her school this book (I've started with the Principal in my son's school.)

A must have for any parent. If most of these reviews read like the testimonials of people involved in a cult, it's because we really believe in Jim Trelease's ideas, because we've seen the results in our own families. If this book doesn't inspire you to remember your own favorite books, the joy you felt when your parents read to you, and to spend time reading with your children, nothing will.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've read on creating readers...., October 11, 2006

By	Learning All The Time "It's Never Too Late to... (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition (Paperback)

One and a half years ago, my kindergartener was reading at a 3rd grade level but lacked "comprehension". While he could retell basic plot elements, he appeared to lack any ability to synthesize or think about what he had read.

So I dutifully bought several comprehension workbooks and was preparing to work with him all summer. Then I stumbled across Trelease's wonderful handbook, and the light went on. What a compelling message about the importance of reading aloud to kids! What a wonderful book list! And what a beautifully simple way to transform my son into a truly comprehending reader!

All I needed to do was read to my son abundantly, ENCOURAGE discussion, rejoice and respond if he spontaneously asked questions while I was reading (THAT was a paradigm shift), and surround him with great books. I could toss out the workbooks.

My son's reading comprehension greatly improved, my children LOVE our read-aloud times - as do I - and they love to read themselves. What's not to like? This book is a wonderful resource that I have referred to repeatedly.