How to Tell if Your Child is Ready to Read
By Lynn Maslen Kertell, Bob Books Publications, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 8, 2010
Are you and your child ready to take your first steps into the exciting and magical world of reading? Learning to read is very much a process; as your child’s coach and teacher, he or she will need your encouragement and patience. Here are some thoughts as you and your child embark on your amazing adventure.
Signs of reading readiness
There is no specific age when your child will be ready to start reading. Because young children learn so much at a rapid rate, you may not be aware of how much they already know. Some children grasp reading concepts and are able to sound out simple words as early as age 3; others may not start until age 5 or 6.
Answers to the questions below can help determine where your child is in terms of reading readiness:
- Does your child know the alphabet?
- Can she or he recognize most of the letters (including both uppercase and lowercase letters?)
- Can your child recognize letters on everyday objects such as S T O P on a stop sign?
- Does your child know that letters are associated with sounds and can he or she demonstrate a fair number of those sounds?
- Can your child spell his or her own name?
If your answer is ‘yes’ to most of these questions, we recommend that you begin with Bob Books Set 1 • Beginning Readers. If your child is interested, pays attention, interacts with the book, and seems to have an idea of what you mean, then you are on your way to reading. If your child is wiggly, disruptive or sad, they may not be ready. Put the books away for a few months and try again later. Children learn at different rates. For a happy reading experience, it is important to find your child’s comfort level.
How do Bob Books work?
Bob Books introduce letters and words gradually so that children have success from the start. When children feel good from the first book, they are confident and eager to try more. Bob Books start with consistent short vowels and very short words to they are easy to sound out. New letters and words are introduced gradually, so that a child can soon say, “I read the whole book!”®
Each Bob Books set builds upon the previous set, with enough repetition that reading becomes comfortable and easy, with new material added to keep a the child interested. The stories contain silly and mischievous characters and simple plotlines that make children giggle. The illustrations are intentionally simple and childlike. The books themselves are sized perfectly for little hands. Numbering the books and boxes creates a sense of progress and accomplishment for your child.
More information about Sets 1-5:
Bob Books Set 1 • Beginning Readers contains twelve little books. With just four letters in the first book, your child can easily sound out all the words (Mat, Sam, sat etc.). New sounds and letters are added gradually until all the letters of the alphabet have been introduced (except Q).
Next, Bob Books Set 2 • Advancing Readers continues with three-letter words and consistent vowel sounds in slightly longer stories. Again, repetition is used throughout as a way to build skill and confidence.
Bob Books Set 3 • Word Families introduces consonant blends, endings, and a few sight words, to mix things up and advance reading skills. The use of word families help make longer stories more manageable.
Once you’ve found that your child has mastered Sets 1-3, longer books and more complex words will continue to engage and challenge your young reader in Bob Books Set 4 • Complex Words. New word blends, more sight words and longer words advance their skills, while sound repetition keeps reading easy.
The final set in the series, Bob Books Set 5 • Long Vowels introduces the important new skills of long vowels and the magical silent E. Reading vocabularies will grow quickly as your child begins to master the longer stories. Upon completion of Bob Books Set 5, your emerging reader is now ready to move onto chapter books!
What if my child isn’t ready?
Before reading, children need foundation skills: knowing shapes, recognizing patterns, sorting and learning how to anticipate sequences of events. Strengthening these key building-block skills will make your child’s steps into reading easier and more fun. My First Bob Books™ were written to enhance your child’s first reading discoveries. Whereas Sets 1-5 are intended for your child to read to you, My First Bob Books are for you to read to your child. My First Bob Books are for children, especially toddlers and young preschool-age children, who are just beginning to understand shapes, letters and sounds. Parent guides offer additional activities, games and tips designed to support new concepts and empower your emerging readers.
As always, we at Bob Books love to receive comments as well as your reading success stories.
We wish your young learner much success and happiness as he or she enters the great adventure of reading.
Lynn Maslen Kertell
Managing Partner and Author, Bob Books Publications, LLC
lynn@bobbooks.com
Let illustrator Marla Frazee show you ALL THE WORLD
Add this Caldecott Honor book to your collection: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
Spring 2010: Kids’ Book Picks
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 8, 2010
Spring is in the air. Familiar floral scents are beginning to drift with the breeze, stimulating thoughts of rebirth—from flowering blossoms to new-born chickens. Spring just may be my favorite season. The following books are a great representation of this sweet and thriving time of year.
Silly Little Goose!by Nancy Tafuri
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Board book: 26 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk edition (February 1, 2010)
Little Goose is looking for a quiet and comfortable place to lay her eggs—a classic spring activity. Simple text combined with animal sounds and winning illustrations make Silly Little Goose a great read-aloud book. This book was first released in 2001, but it has just been released as a sturdy board book—a great choice for the younger set.
Add this book to your collection: Silly Little Goose!
The Grasshopper Hopped!by Elizabeth Alexander (Author), Joung Un Kim (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 14 pages
Publisher: Golden Books (January 12, 2010)
I’m not sure if Grasshoppers would be considered synonymous with spring, but, when I saw the cover for this book, my mind immediately thought of gardening and blossoms. As Grasshopper searches for his “perfect” spot, readers are taken on a journey similar to the one that Goldilocks takes in The Three Little Bears: The soup pot is too hot, the fridge too cold. Kim’s cut-paper illustrations and interactive pull-tabs add extra pizazz to the already engaging rhyme and sounds of Alexander’s charming little story.
Add this book to your collection: The Grasshopper Hopped!
Forever Friendsby Carin Berger
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 2, 2010)
From her collage artwork to her simple and reflective stories, Carin Berger is one of my favorites! Forever Friends, a companion book to The Little Yellow Leaf, is the story between two unlikely friends who must part because of the seasons. It is the season of spring that brings them back together. The cherry blossoms, mushrooms, and flower-chains, add extra panache to this heartfelt story of friendship.
Add this book to your collection: Forever Friends
You may also enjoy: The Little Yellow Leaf
Interview: Carin Berger
Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
by Randall de Seve (Author), Jen Corace (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (February 16, 2010)
Spring time begs for youngsters to return to the great outdoors. It also welcomes vivid imaginations that are rekindled by a change of scenery. Mathilda is an adorable little lamby—illustrated by Jen Corace: Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot—who clearly has a profound imagination that is stimulated easily by her surroundings. Mathilda also has a level of curiosity that, when combined with her imagination, allows her to become anything (an important message for anyone). Very sweet!
Add this book to your collection: Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
You may also enjoy: Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot
Paris in the Spring with Picasso
by Joan Yolleck (Author), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (March 23, 2010)
This is a visual and intellectual, cultural treat. Marjorie Priceman, the illustrator of two Caldecott Honor books, has superbly conjured images of 20th century Paris; an era of great artists, such as: Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein. The artwork is reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline books, only the colors are more vibrant. Francophiles will delight in author Joan Yolleck’s imaginative telling of how these great artists may have spent one of their wonderful spring days in Paris. Conceptual meets factual, ending in a brilliant soiree.
Add this book to your collection: Paris in the Spring with Picasso
Francophiles may also enjoy: Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman
My Little Pony: The Greenest Day (I Can Read Book 1)
by Jennifer Christie
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (March 9, 2010)
The Greenest Day is a level 1 I Can Read book, which means that it has short sentences and familiar words. At the beginning of the book there are a few words that are matched with a picture. Throughout the story, these pictures replace the words in the sentences they appear—a fun concept to spice-up learning to read. With spring, friendship, and good listening as the key concepts for this story, it’s a great choice for a reluctant reader or My Little Pony fan.
Add this book to your collection: My Little Pony: The Greenest Day
Source of all books: Publishing Houses
Get Ready for Dinotrux
Add this book to your collection: Dinotrux by Chris Gall
St. Patrick’s Day: 3 Lucky Kids’ Books
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 3, 2010
From shamrocks to Leprechauns to fiddle music to the color green, these three books have St. Patrick’s Day (March, 17) covered. Oh, and in-case you’re wondering why people where shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s because regular rocks are too heavy. *drum roll—ba-DUM-ching*
St. Patrick’s Dayby Anne Rockwell (Author), Lizzy Rockwell (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (January 26, 2010)
This is a very kid-friendly explanation of what St. Patrick’s Day is all about. The story is told from a child’s perspective and is set within a school classroom (most likely a kindergarten class). The class is led in a discovery type learning experience and encouraged to make group presentations, which gives a very familiar feel to the readers. The illustrations are colorful and energetic—a good representation of this lively Irish holiday. A wonderful introduction to Irish traditions and culture!
Magic Tree House #43: Leprechaun in Late Winter
by Mary Pope Osborne
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 12, 2010)
Magic Tree House is a favorite amongst early readers and fluent readers. This installment finds Jack and Annie on an Irish adventure that is fit for a St. Patrick’s Day read. The bother and sister duo have been sent on another mission by Merlin the magician. They have to find a girl named Augusta and inspire her to discover her hidden talents. On their quest to forfill their mission, they encounter many a creature from Irish folklore. It’s a very entertaining read—Magic Treehouse fans will not be dissapointed.
Magic Tree House Research Guide #21: Leprechauns and Irish Folklore: A Nonfiction Companion to Leprechaun in Late Winterby Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 12, 2010)
A great companion to Leprechaun in Late Winter, but certainly a first-rate stand-alone non-fiction resource for learning about Leprechauns and Irish folklore. The combination of text, fun facts, photos, and illustrations make this an enjoyable way for children to gain knowledge.
Updated Post (March, 6) to include a 4th book:
Calendar Mysteries #3: March Mischief
by Ron Roy
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 26, 2010)
A great choice for those looking for an introduction to an easy-to-read chapter book. The author, Ron Roy, is extremely popular with both kids and parents—especially the mystery book lovers. This particular instalment is about the luck of the Irish. Thumbs-up!
Leave us a comment: Tell us about your favorite St. Patrick’s Day book or activity.
Women’s History Month: 5 Kids’ Books that Celebrate Women & Empower Girls
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 1, 2010
March is National Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Project, an organization whose mission is to “recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs,” has announced that the theme for 2010 is Writing Women Back into History. This is what they had to say:
“The history of women often seems to be written with invisible ink. Even when recognized in their own times, women are often not included in the history books.”
With so few books highlighting the brilliant women from our history, I felt that it was important to kick-off this important month of recognition with 5 books that not only acknowledge women’s achievements but celebrate them and empower young girls (our women of the future).
Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote, by Tanya Lee Stone (Ages 6-10)
Who Was Amelia Earhart?, by Kate Boehm Jerome (Ages 9-12)
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, by Tanya Lee Stone (Ages 10 and up)
The Invisible Thread: An Autobiography, by Yoshiko Uchida (Ages 12 and up)
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women, by Catherine Thimmesh (Ages 12 and up)
This is only a sprinkling of the sprinkling of the available women’s history books. Please share a thought or book suggestion about your favorite women from your family, community, or history, in the comment field below.
Er.u.di.tion: The Game to Jump-Start the Road to Reading
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 24, 2010
by Acumen Associates, LLC
Source of game: Acumen Associates, LLC
I’m always on the lookout for tools that help promote reading skills. The more ways that you can present a learning concept to a child, the better. This is why I think that Er.u.di.tion, a board game for ages 3 & up, should be a family and school staple—and is most likely why it has been the winner of numerous awards.
The game has been designed to effectively meet the needs of different reading levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Beginners will learn the alphabet and basic phonics, while intermediete to advanced readers will work towards spelling and comprehension.
Here is a list of some of the skills that can be learned from this game:
- Teaches children to automatically recognize high frequency words
- Promotes instant recognition of common phonetically irregular words
- Provides definitions to foster both vocabulary learning and reading comprehension
- Provides syllabication to promote word decoding
- Instills confidence to enable reading development
My only additional reccomendation is that you may want to play the game in two sittings with the youngest players. Besides that, it’s fun and educational—a great combination!
Two Tutu Books for Little Ballerinas
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 23, 2010
I don’t know about you, but we certainly have a large collection of tutus at our house. Too too many tutus in too too many different colors. I can’t let my daughter hear me say that—she is of the belief that a girl can never have enough tutus (or books about tutus, for that matter). Read more
Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 17, 2010
Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000
by Eric Wight (author and illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 7-10
Paperback: 86 pages
Publisher: Simon and Schuster (forthcoming)
Source of book: author
What to expect: Overcoming adversity, importance of teamwork Read more
Fables with a different flair
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 15, 2010
I’ve written before about the spate of new books that are bilingual and aim to tell a story as well as teach another language. For the most part, these have been in Spanish. Recently, I received a few new books that tell fables from a Native American perspective. These have been interesting for me to read as they open up a whole new world of literature and they’ve been interesting for my kids as well because of their vivid and fantastic stories. Here’s a brief rundown of three of them: Read more
