You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together [Hardcover]

Mary Ann Hoberman (Author), Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Here's a book With something new - You read to me! I'll read to you! We'll read each page To one another - You'll read one side, I the other. But who will read - Now guess this riddle - When the words are In the middle? The answer's easy! Plain as pie! We'll read together, You and I.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-A delightful choreography of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition that begs to be read aloud in tandem by children and adults, or by any pairing of beginning readers. The gist of the book is that reading aloud and listening as others read aloud is an integral part of early literacy. "Here's a book/With something new-/You read to me!/I'll read to you!" instructs a passage in the introduction. Thirteen two-page humorous "stories" feature enduring childhood subjects like animals, play, likes and dislikes, friends, and family. All are liberally decorated with Emberley's witty, exuberant, pastel-colored cartoon illustrations. Brief verses appear on the left, right, or center of each page and are printed in three different colors to signal whose turn it is to read (or when it's time to read together). Simple yet varied vocabulary is used throughout. All of the selections conclude with a twist on the "you read to me/I'll read to you" refrain. The combination of short, rhythmic stories and cheerful art is a winning one, making this title a valuable addition to picture-book collections.

Mary Ann Carcich, Mattituck-Laurel Public Library, Mattituck, NY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-3. Inspired by work with the Literacy Volunteers of America, Hoberman offers 13 rhymed variations on the theme of getting together to read. The short poems are designed to be read aloud by two voices, with occasional parts to share. Color-coded text in double columns makes it easy to distinguish the parts. Each poem revolves around a simple incident: in "The Dime," two children decide what to do with the coin one has found; in "I Like" young neighbors finish the phrase, "I like . . . " in different ways. The energy never flags, neither in Hoberman's trademark bouncy rhythms nor in Emberley's exuberant illustrations, which picture a wonderful array of children and animals tumbling across the pages. It's a worthy message, lightly but strongly delivered: "In the shade (Or in the sun) / Choose a book (That looks like fun.) / One that's old (Or one that's new.) / Make-believe (Or really true.) / I'll read one line (I'll read two.) / You'll read to me. / I'll read to you." John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316363502
• ISBN-13: 978-0316363501
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.5 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Humorous
  • #65 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Short Story Collections

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 6 year old loves this book, December 24, 2001

By 

Y. Leventhal (Oak Hill, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together (Hardcover)

I bought this book based on the reviews from amazon. When I got it, I admit I was a bit disappointed. The rhymes, I thought, were not exactly very interesting and each little piece repeats "I read to you and you'll read to me."

Much to my surprise, my 6 year old, who is beginning to read, loves this book. She wants to read it every night. Sometimes she picks to read the purple lines (lines are color-coded so parents and kids can take regular turns). Then she switches to the red lines for a second read. The repetition at the end of each rhyme, which I disliked, gives her much delight because she can read those lines without hesitation. So this is a great book for kindergarteners who are just beginning to learn to read. I can imagine six months down the road my daughter would much prefer something more sophisticated. But now she loves this book.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy to Read Together....., November 12, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together (Hardcover)

As the Mary Ann Hoberman explains in her introduction: "Here's a book/With something new-/You read to me!/I'll read to you!/We'll read each page/To one another-/You'll read one side,/I the other..." This clever and unique picture book includes 12 very short stories, written like a dialogue, and based on simple, lighthearted, friendly themes, that are perfect for emerging, and early readers. Each part is color coded for sharing and fun. I read the purple lines, you read the red, and we read the blue lines together, and then maybe switch. Ms Hoberman's joyous, rhyming text is full of rhythm, energy, and repetition and complemented by Michael Emberley's charming and humorous illustrations. You Read To Me, I'll Read To You is a delightful introduction to the joys and wonders of both reading, and reading together. As the author reminds your young reader at the end: "...But there are other/Books to read./Hundreds/Thousands/All we need./Any time/In any weather/We can sit/Right down together./In the shade/Or in the sun/Choose a book/That looks like fun./One that's old/Or one that's new./Make-believe/Or really true./I'll read one line/I'll read two./You read to me./I'll read to you."

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educators Recommend, March 14, 2004

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together (Hardcover)

Not long ago I was attending a conference for reading teachers. The main topic of conversation was, as you might imagine, books. After the third person told me You Read to Me is "simply wonderful," and "a must-have," I decided I'd better check it out.

My colleagues were not exaggerating. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You is one of those rare "must-haves." The book, as the title implies, is created for two voices. Thoughtfully, the text is divided into three columns, each done in a different color print. One reader reads the left-hand passages. The second reader reads the right-hand passages. Both readers, of course, read the text in the middle.

The dozen stories in the book are original, fresh, and funny. (Hoberman refers to them as little plays for two voices.) Each is short, rhythmic, and rhyming. Topics include: mice, cats, dogs, bears, snakes, snowmen, friendship, hats, and more.

Emberley's illustrations, done in pen, watercolor, and dry pastel, perfectly compliment and enrich the text. The character's actions and facial expressions are priceless.

The book works exceedingly well in the classroom. Perfect for "buddy reading," it also provides teachers a perfect vehicle for working one-on-one with students. As we know, reading aloud helps to build fluency-which in turn helps with comprehension. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You is the perfect fluency-building book.

You Read to Me receives our highest recommendation.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff