Customer Reviews

Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Twos: A Guide to Choosing, Reading and Loving Books Together

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like Mem Fox's Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever, Reading with Babies, Toddlers, and Two's lacks the data and references of Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition (Read-Aloud Handbook) BUT is a great, friendly introduction to how and why to read aloud to your child and why you should start as young as possible. More importantly, it includes many thematic lists of books for children in the 0 to 3 age range. The lists are what make this book so useful as most booklist books are most solid in the elementary school range, with some (too few) selections for kindergardeners and preschoolers. (The exception to that is Kathleen Odean's Great Books for Babies and Toddlers: More Than 500 Recommended Books for Your Child's First Three Years.) For busy, tired parents, a faster, lighter read than Trelease is welcome though I'd recommend reading Trelease later for more details and data and for his Treasury of read alouds.

As a reading specialist, I am always looking for books to recommend to new mothers. This is a book with a wealth of information for anyone interested in what book should I get for my child, grandchildren, new mother, fathers, etc. Each chapter is well written with good information. At the end of most chapters is a chart containing information about various stages children go through and what parents can expect their child to be doing in response to the title of the chapter. Much research has been done to put this all together. A must for new parents of young children.

The authors have taken a small subject and written an entertaining, thorough, incredibly well-thought out and well-designed volume. It's very useful, because it both talks about the realities of reading to the wee (news flash: they're as likely to eat the book as listen, but READ ANYWAY...and here's why), and then goes on to make recommendations depending on subject your looking for (books about feeling

imaginary friends, lovies, getting a new brother/sister, and every other subject of concern to the two and under set.).

I am a bookaholic. I believe that "we first learn to read, then read to learn." A first step to achieve this is to fall in love with reading, the younger the better. If a child feels that reading is fun, they can develop a lifelong attraction to books. THIS book can help a parent learn how to develop that love of books with their child.

I am a mother of three young boys; books play a huge role in our lives and my sons' development. While I've been reading books on my own and to my children forever, "Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Two's" has helped renew my enjoyment of reading with my sons, and given me new excitement for reading to them.

"Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Two's" is full of great book lists for children at different ages and stages. Many of the books I've already heard about and read, but other new titles I've put on a list and brought to the library to check out and bring home. I can see these lists also being great suggestions for a child's gift list, gifts from parents or for someone's baby shower. These would also be wonderful suggestions for daycare providers.

While going through "Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Two's", I appreciated even it's size, approach to different topics, suggestions and insight into books authors and artists. This wasn't a heavy book about a child's development, weighing me down with deep theories and thoughts, but a more inspirational piece that I could pick up and read a bit at a time, bringing back that fun feeling of discovering books with my sons. There are definite sections for different needs that books can fill, pointing me quickly to new authors and titles relevant to my situation.

What I found VERY interesting was that "Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Two's" not ONLY talked about books, but how certain television programming and internet sites could also help develop a child's literacy. I found this very modern, up to date, and realistic. My boys will watch TV and use the computer every chance they're given (not too often, of course), so I've tried to steer them to quality shows and web sites that would not only entertain but also educate them. I've found that many shows go hand-in-hand with the books we read and am impressed that "Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Twos" points out ways to use the different forms of media together.

I would highly recommend this book to EVERY mom. Did I say it has great lists of book suggestions for gifts? THIS book would make an excellent gift for a new mom. Or a loved teacher, day-care provider, anyone who needs inspiration to share books with the children in their care. "Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Twos" has given me a fresh start for reading with my sons. I'm going to the library today to search out new books to share with them, thanks to the suggestions I've found in this book. It's a reference I will use often, even when my kids are older than "babies, toddlers and twos".

From beginning to end, this book is chock full of invaluable information about the why's, what's, when's and how's of reading to our children. I honestly can't think of a more important parenting book out there. It just makes so much sense. And although I already do it, it got me excited about reading to my kids again and reminded me why I read to all of my babies in utero. (For fun! Who knew it was so beneficial?) There's just no better way to connect, bond and engage with children. I grew up with this philosophy that books are our friends (my Mother really did tell us that) and it's a joy to learn exactly why reading with our children is so important. I already love giving books as gifts and you can be assured, this book will be hastily added to my baby shower/new baby/1st and 2nd birthday gift list. I can think of no better gift for a parent than the gift of true quality time with their kids. A time to discover, laugh, tickle and snuggle. A time to sing, rhyme, interact and learn. Together. What can be better than that?

There were plenty of great book suggestions in these pages, but the best part in my opinion was the hints and tips for new parents about what to expect while trying to read with your little one. From information on reading to "the bump" before your baby's even with you (a great way to get Dad involved!) to what to do in the stage when chewing on, throwing or otherwise playing with the book appears vastly more fascinating than reading it, there were a lot of practical application ideas from other parents who've been there and worked it out.

I especially liked that the book descriptions gave parents a heads-up when the subject material of a recommended book was potentially touchy (death, new baby, separation) and offered ideas on which of these books parents could intentionally use to broach these touch subjects with their kids. Reading is a huge key to being successful - so start your kids early!

I love that the book explains things appropriate for the child's age. If you are looking for a source of books to read to your child, this one can guide you as your child grows.

This is a fantastic book, full of lists of wonderful books to read with your little one. If you're looking for a classic, something with a specific theme like going to bed, or something for a particular age, this book will help you zero in on a list of suggestions.

All I can say is that this book is exellent. I have been looking and looking for a book that not only tells you how to read to your children but gives you suggestions of good books to read to them. This is that book!!! I got it from my local library but love it so much I am now going to buy it. It is a must read for any mother or new daycare teacher who, like me, had no clue about how to select a good book.

Let's face it: There are many books for babies and children out there. How do I choose the perfect book for my baby? What's the baby going to understand from it? How will the baby react? How can I introduce the book to the baby? I had a lot of questions like these before buying this book and they were all answered. Reading with babies, toddlers, and Twos is a great tool book that reads well, with charts about baby development vs. book choice, many book suggestions categorized and many references as well if you wish to know more. The authors are credible and thanks to them, I do not feel as lost in baby book world. If you want what's best for your child...here's a good start.