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How to Raise a Reader
An indispensable guide to welcoming children—from babies to teens—to a lifelong love of reading, written by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, editors of The New York Times Book Review .
Do you remember your first visit to where the wild things are? How about curling up for hours on end to discover the secret of the Sorcerer’s Stone? Combining clear, practical advice with inspiration, wisdom, tips, and curated reading lists, How to Raise a Reader shows you how to instill the joy and time-stopping pleasure of reading.
Divided into four sections, from baby through teen, and each illustrated by a different artist, this book offers something useful on every page, whether it’s how to develop rituals around reading or build a family library, or ways to engage a reluctant reader. A fifth section, “More Books to Love: By Theme and Reading Level,” is chockful of expert recommendations. Throughout, the authors debunk common myths, assuage parental fears, and deliver invaluable lessons in a positive and easy-to-act-on way.
Do you remember your first visit to where the wild things are? How about curling up for hours on end to discover the secret of the Sorcerer’s Stone? Combining clear, practical advice with inspiration, wisdom, tips, and curated reading lists, How to Raise a Reader shows you how to instill the joy and time-stopping pleasure of reading.
Divided into four sections, from baby through teen, and each illustrated by a different artist, this book offers something useful on every page, whether it’s how to develop rituals around reading or build a family library, or ways to engage a reluctant reader. A fifth section, “More Books to Love: By Theme and Reading Level,” is chockful of expert recommendations. Throughout, the authors debunk common myths, assuage parental fears, and deliver invaluable lessons in a positive and easy-to-act-on way.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2019
About the author
Pamela Paul
16 books448 followersPamela Paul is the editor of The New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at The Times. She also hosts the weekly Book Review podcast. She is the author of six books, How to Raise a Reader, co-authored with Maria Russo, My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues, By the Book, Parenting, Inc., Pornified, and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, Paul was a contributor to Time magazine and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her next book, Rectangle Time, comes out in February. She and her family live in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
May 30, 2019
Ignore this book and go for Jim Trelease's classic Read-Aloud Handbook instead. Beyond the basics of taking your kids to the libraries and to bookstores, filling your house with books, and serving as reading models yourselves, this book has little to offer. The authors refer to research studies without citing their sources, subscribe to the weird premise that parents should keep e-readers and iPads away from their children if they want them to read (it shouldn't be either/or) and believe that it's perfectly natural for reading at school to suck because teachers have so little time to impart so much knowledge. Nevertheless, the authors seemingly backtrack by saying that although it's not ok for kids to have e-readers or iPads to read books, kids should be encouraged to record book podcasts and to post them such places like YouTube ....and that if your kids are struggling, one way to motivate them may be to follow an author’s Twitter page. All in all, it seems like a hodge-podge of advice with very little unifying vision behind it ... again, Trelease's book is much more satisfying with respect to all this.
September 3, 2019
How to Raise a Reader is written by two noted writers and experts on children’s books, Pamela Paul and Maria Russo.
How to Raise a Reader could make all the difference in a child’s life and in family life.
This book includes some unique tips and clever strategies to include the sharing of books in family life....and tips to encourage children to read for enjoyment and continue reading throughout their teen years.
Plenty of book recommendations for all ages, babies through young adult, and also book recommendations by subject matter or theme.
I received a digital ARC from Workman Publishing Company through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
#HowToRaiseAreader
#WorkmanPublishingCompany
#NetGalley
How to Raise a Reader could make all the difference in a child’s life and in family life.
This book includes some unique tips and clever strategies to include the sharing of books in family life....and tips to encourage children to read for enjoyment and continue reading throughout their teen years.
Plenty of book recommendations for all ages, babies through young adult, and also book recommendations by subject matter or theme.
I received a digital ARC from Workman Publishing Company through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
#HowToRaiseAreader
#WorkmanPublishingCompany
#NetGalley
November 28, 2019
I have read quite a few handbooks for parents who wish to raise book-loving kids, but none have given such dubious advice as this year's How to Raise a Reader by The New York Times Book Review editors Pamela Paul and Maria Russo. (I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.)
The first red flag for me came in the form of the blanket statement that "[m]any classic children's books are now considered sexist, racist, outdated, and in certain cases, downright awful." This statement sets up the political point of view of its authors as the default "correct" way to consider older books. By writing in the passive voice, the authors conveniently sidestep the need to say precisely who considers these books so terrible, and they leave no room at all for an alternate point of view, despite the fact that many reading-minded parents are conservative homeschoolers who deeply value older books but are not themselves awful racists. This argument is worsened by the suggested remedy: simply "tweak" the books when you read them aloud, editing the author's words to reflect what you wish they said. There are plenty of books I won't read aloud due to content, but it is utterly insulting to authors to presume to rewrite their books, and insulting to the intelligence of child listeners, who can generally handle controversial and difficult topics better than adults ever assume they can.
A second major problem with this book is the way it suggests that parents are irrelevant, or at best tangential, to the reading lives of their children. They come right out and say that reading aloud "isn't about you" (the parent) when they comment that parents whose character voices don't appeal to their kids should "read the room" and stop using them, and then they continue to point out how true they believe that to be at every opportunity. Their recommendations for reading with children include admonishments to "tune out and read by rote" when you're bored, to "be careful not to assert your own values too much" (heaven forbid your children acquire your values) and "save your disapproval for vaping, not books." They also make the absurd claim that it may not be the parent's choice when a child starts reading Harry Potter, as though children are such independent creatures we can't possibly be in charge of any aspect of their lives, let alone reading.
Other problems with this book are more predictable. The authors throw the required bones toward gender ideology by pointing out that books for toddlers might teach traditional gender roles and toward diversity by pointing out the apparently disturbing blondness of the characters in Dick and Jane and stating that "no children should have to learn to read with them." They also caution parents that they might have to explain the language and writing style in those old racist classics, or else just find abridged versions that avoid "antiquated language" to satisfy the children who just can't tolerate "references to an earlier age."
How to Raise a Reader takes for granted many ideas about parenting and childhood that I just don't accept, and that made it impossible for me to enjoy it. Truly, the best resource on this topic continues to be The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, with Reading Together by Diane W. Frankenstein and The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon following closely behind. By comparison to these comprehensive and engaging resources, How to Raise a Reader is disorganized, shallow, and unnecessary, and I do not recommend it.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
The first red flag for me came in the form of the blanket statement that "[m]any classic children's books are now considered sexist, racist, outdated, and in certain cases, downright awful." This statement sets up the political point of view of its authors as the default "correct" way to consider older books. By writing in the passive voice, the authors conveniently sidestep the need to say precisely who considers these books so terrible, and they leave no room at all for an alternate point of view, despite the fact that many reading-minded parents are conservative homeschoolers who deeply value older books but are not themselves awful racists. This argument is worsened by the suggested remedy: simply "tweak" the books when you read them aloud, editing the author's words to reflect what you wish they said. There are plenty of books I won't read aloud due to content, but it is utterly insulting to authors to presume to rewrite their books, and insulting to the intelligence of child listeners, who can generally handle controversial and difficult topics better than adults ever assume they can.
A second major problem with this book is the way it suggests that parents are irrelevant, or at best tangential, to the reading lives of their children. They come right out and say that reading aloud "isn't about you" (the parent) when they comment that parents whose character voices don't appeal to their kids should "read the room" and stop using them, and then they continue to point out how true they believe that to be at every opportunity. Their recommendations for reading with children include admonishments to "tune out and read by rote" when you're bored, to "be careful not to assert your own values too much" (heaven forbid your children acquire your values) and "save your disapproval for vaping, not books." They also make the absurd claim that it may not be the parent's choice when a child starts reading Harry Potter, as though children are such independent creatures we can't possibly be in charge of any aspect of their lives, let alone reading.
Other problems with this book are more predictable. The authors throw the required bones toward gender ideology by pointing out that books for toddlers might teach traditional gender roles and toward diversity by pointing out the apparently disturbing blondness of the characters in Dick and Jane and stating that "no children should have to learn to read with them." They also caution parents that they might have to explain the language and writing style in those old racist classics, or else just find abridged versions that avoid "antiquated language" to satisfy the children who just can't tolerate "references to an earlier age."
How to Raise a Reader takes for granted many ideas about parenting and childhood that I just don't accept, and that made it impossible for me to enjoy it. Truly, the best resource on this topic continues to be The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease, with Reading Together by Diane W. Frankenstein and The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon following closely behind. By comparison to these comprehensive and engaging resources, How to Raise a Reader is disorganized, shallow, and unnecessary, and I do not recommend it.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
October 1, 2019
Want to ensure your child or grandchild is a reader? This book is for you! Lots of tips, advice and lists of recommended books for children of all ages--and I love lists! From the editors of the New York Times Book Review, this is a reference book you might want to have on the shelf for help picking books for children's gifts. I think it would make a wonderful shower gift, tucked in with a few fun board books.
December 4, 2020
Most of my GR friends who are parents are already committed to raising lifelong readers by sharing their passion for books with their children. If this is you, then you may not get much use out of this book, other than to affirm what you have done or are doing right, and to peruse the lists of recommended books and say "read that one, that one, yep that one...". I did exactly this with my daughter last night; she asked what the book was about and this led to perusing the book recommendations; my daughter pulled books off her shelf that matched the recs, and she brought up a book of funny poems that she really likes (Where the Sidewalk Ends) which I then found recommended in this book and showed her. It was a great affirmation of her current enjoyment of reading. Conversely, I have a work colleague who has mentioned her struggle to get her middle-grade son to read. She does not like to read books herself, which this book is quick to point out is essential to raising a reader. I offerred to loan her this book, but she said "I am not going to read it, just give me the highlights." Here, the core of the problem is obvious.
The basics of the authors' advice are: be a reader yourself; start (very) young; promote a reading culture; don't make reading a chore, competition or obligation; sneakily leave books around for your child to discover; talk to them about books and reading often but not in a way that creates pressure. My favorite tidbit is that the single factor most srongly associated with future reading comprehension is simply the number of books that you have at home. Not the amount of time reading, or age that your child started reading, just how many books you have around. Well, most of us here are set for life then!
This is a short work, and in content would be highly suited to a blog or website. Indeed there is a truncated version of this book available online to get you started: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/books/how-to-raise-a-reader. I trust the authors' expertise, as long-time children's book editors for the NY times (think what you will of its journalistic content.) The book is divided into three main sections based on the child's age group: baby/toddler/early reader, middle-grade, and teen. For each stage, a collection of single-paragraph topics and tips are listed, followed by more tips for choosing books for that age of reader. Then come the book recommendations, which are suitably diverse and well organized, each with a brief description of why it's a good book for that stage. A full third of the book is devoted to book recommendations.
The advice that they give is sound, reasonable, and at times backed by studies that I wish they provided references for. There is plenty of caution about what not to do, to avoid turning off a reluctant reader. Since the advice starts at birth, this would make a great gift to an expecting parent, whether they are an avid reader or not.
The physical book design is lovely. It's small, squarish, sprinkled with illustrations, with visually pleasing text layout, easy to flip through or jump to your child's age for a refresher. You can effectively read a whole section of interest at the bookstore without buying it. It could be a good bathroom book, if you allow such things.
One flub: Stephen King's It was described as having an "orgy" among its child characters, which is not accurate. Clearly this chafed one of the authors, neither of whom appear to have read the book, for this complaint about an adult book to appear TWICE in a book about children's reading. (It was raised in the context of one of their teens reading it, it seems from the description that the author heard about this event from the book but did not read the book itself).
The basics of the authors' advice are: be a reader yourself; start (very) young; promote a reading culture; don't make reading a chore, competition or obligation; sneakily leave books around for your child to discover; talk to them about books and reading often but not in a way that creates pressure. My favorite tidbit is that the single factor most srongly associated with future reading comprehension is simply the number of books that you have at home. Not the amount of time reading, or age that your child started reading, just how many books you have around. Well, most of us here are set for life then!
This is a short work, and in content would be highly suited to a blog or website. Indeed there is a truncated version of this book available online to get you started: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/books/how-to-raise-a-reader. I trust the authors' expertise, as long-time children's book editors for the NY times (think what you will of its journalistic content.) The book is divided into three main sections based on the child's age group: baby/toddler/early reader, middle-grade, and teen. For each stage, a collection of single-paragraph topics and tips are listed, followed by more tips for choosing books for that age of reader. Then come the book recommendations, which are suitably diverse and well organized, each with a brief description of why it's a good book for that stage. A full third of the book is devoted to book recommendations.
The advice that they give is sound, reasonable, and at times backed by studies that I wish they provided references for. There is plenty of caution about what not to do, to avoid turning off a reluctant reader. Since the advice starts at birth, this would make a great gift to an expecting parent, whether they are an avid reader or not.
The physical book design is lovely. It's small, squarish, sprinkled with illustrations, with visually pleasing text layout, easy to flip through or jump to your child's age for a refresher. You can effectively read a whole section of interest at the bookstore without buying it. It could be a good bathroom book, if you allow such things.
One flub: Stephen King's It was described as having an "orgy" among its child characters, which is not accurate. Clearly this chafed one of the authors, neither of whom appear to have read the book, for this complaint about an adult book to appear TWICE in a book about children's reading. (It was raised in the context of one of their teens reading it, it seems from the description that the author heard about this event from the book but did not read the book itself).
October 28, 2022
Een prachtige uitgave. Mooie kaft, mooi binnenwerk, fijne papiersoort, leeslint. Heerlijk.
Maar daar houden mijn positieve woorden op.
Ik kocht dit boek als kinderboekverkoper, ik hoopte er onderbouwing voor mijn aanpak in de winkel in te vinden. Inmiddels heb ik ook al meerdere werken over opvoeding voor me gehad, omdat we in verwachting zijn. Ik las dit boek dus met twee petten op.
Als boekverkoper heb ik niets gelezen wat ik nog niet wist. Daarnaast vond ik het erg storend dat hoe verder het boek vorderde, hoe meer klassiekers en minder eigentijdse titels er genoemd worden. Ik bedoel: hoe kun je een hoofdstuk over lezende tieners schrijven en Mel Wallis de Vries niet noemen? Dan mis je iets, in mijn ogen.
Als (aanstaande) opvoeder stuit het me enorm tegen de borst dat dit boek de aangereikte methode presenteert als de enige juiste en zonder slagen om de arm wat succes betreft, op enkele zinnetjes na in een heel boek. Er zijn echt meerdere wegen naar Rome, op verschillende leeftijden, en de aanpak kan per kind binnen eenzelfde leeftijd erg verschillen. Ik miste die ruimte en die nuance over de aanpak.
1,5*, met een halve ster voor de uitvoering.
Maar daar houden mijn positieve woorden op.
Ik kocht dit boek als kinderboekverkoper, ik hoopte er onderbouwing voor mijn aanpak in de winkel in te vinden. Inmiddels heb ik ook al meerdere werken over opvoeding voor me gehad, omdat we in verwachting zijn. Ik las dit boek dus met twee petten op.
Als boekverkoper heb ik niets gelezen wat ik nog niet wist. Daarnaast vond ik het erg storend dat hoe verder het boek vorderde, hoe meer klassiekers en minder eigentijdse titels er genoemd worden. Ik bedoel: hoe kun je een hoofdstuk over lezende tieners schrijven en Mel Wallis de Vries niet noemen? Dan mis je iets, in mijn ogen.
Als (aanstaande) opvoeder stuit het me enorm tegen de borst dat dit boek de aangereikte methode presenteert als de enige juiste en zonder slagen om de arm wat succes betreft, op enkele zinnetjes na in een heel boek. Er zijn echt meerdere wegen naar Rome, op verschillende leeftijden, en de aanpak kan per kind binnen eenzelfde leeftijd erg verschillen. Ik miste die ruimte en die nuance over de aanpak.
1,5*, met een halve ster voor de uitvoering.
August 20, 2019
I am a Children's Librarian and I found this to be full of practical tips on turning children into lifetime readers. Tips are organized by age and the book has an almost conversational style -- like chatting at a playgroup. Includes colorful illustrations and well-organized recommendations. They mentioned many of my favorites and gave me some ideas for my next school visit. The librarian in me was cheering as they mentioned the many benefits of having a library card and visiting your local library. The mom in me looked back on raising my own children and saw some strategies that had worked as the book promised. Finally, the reader in me has a whole list of books to add to my TBR list. Joy!
Thank you to Workman Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Workman Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2022
Like the recommendations for each age group and I enjoyed reading about the reading adventures of the author and their family.
I wanted more multicultural and diverse titles.
I wanted more multicultural and diverse titles.
June 5, 2019
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
To me, How To Raise a Reader is common sense. After all, I'm a reader, I'm surrounded by readers, I have kids, and I'm a librarian. However, I know that doesn't apply to most people, and for them, this book would be beneficial.
Paul and Russo cover the ages when it comes to reading. I, too, believe the importance of reading words to the tiniest of infants. My go-to baby shower gifts are a selection of my favorite board books. I can see including this book with my future gift baskets.
What made me give this three stars is the specific audience to which the book is directed. This is for middle class, educated parents/guardians. My school demographic is low income and high English Language Learning. I would love a book to be written for the parents who aren't home at night because they each work multiple jobs to pay the rent. I'd love advice on the importance of reading for the parents who never became readers themselves. I'd love a bigger focus on library visits as most of our families cannot afford to buy luxuries like books. I don't feel How to Raise a Reader applies to this population.
I do appreciate the suggestions listed in the book. Of course, these will be come dated fairly quickly. Maybe a link to a website where continuous suggestions posted would be helpful.
To me, How To Raise a Reader is common sense. After all, I'm a reader, I'm surrounded by readers, I have kids, and I'm a librarian. However, I know that doesn't apply to most people, and for them, this book would be beneficial.
Paul and Russo cover the ages when it comes to reading. I, too, believe the importance of reading words to the tiniest of infants. My go-to baby shower gifts are a selection of my favorite board books. I can see including this book with my future gift baskets.
What made me give this three stars is the specific audience to which the book is directed. This is for middle class, educated parents/guardians. My school demographic is low income and high English Language Learning. I would love a book to be written for the parents who aren't home at night because they each work multiple jobs to pay the rent. I'd love advice on the importance of reading for the parents who never became readers themselves. I'd love a bigger focus on library visits as most of our families cannot afford to buy luxuries like books. I don't feel How to Raise a Reader applies to this population.
I do appreciate the suggestions listed in the book. Of course, these will be come dated fairly quickly. Maybe a link to a website where continuous suggestions posted would be helpful.
January 4, 2020
This is a visually appealing list of children's books. However, it has higher ambitions, bringing up the science of reading but getting things wrong while failing to give references. For example it proposes that just having lots of books lying around is the way to get kids to read. I have nothing against lots of books in the home, but this misrepresents the research. Reading, as opposed to speaking, is not a natural process that children just pick up. It is an artificial decoding practice that needs to be taught. It could be that the target audience takes this instruction for granted, but to decrease illiteracy in the nation, it would have been more useful to explicitly explain about alphabet acquisition and such, and to connect that with the book recommendations. (The authors do not present themselves as scientists so the book gets more than one star.)
January 31, 2021
This is such a helpful resource that I plan to open up again & again as my children age & their reading abilities & preferences evolve. Not only did it give me an abundance of insight & tips for developing a love of reading in my children (from birth to teenage years) it offers a plethora of book suggestions in a wide range of subjects which not only serves my ability select & offer my children the perfect reads at any milestone but! I am also eager to read many of these titles myself (especially the YA and middle grade texts). I kept this on our coffee table & read it in tiny chunks when I had an opportunity & loved every page & paragraph. I highly recommend this for parents of all ages!
March 7, 2019
I love this book not only for the content, but the purpose of encouraging reading into the newer generations. It is packed full of great tips and ideas, good book recommendations, useful information and things that won't only benefit the child, but the family as whole.
I voluntarily read and received a free ARC copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and received a free ARC copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 19, 2019
You don't realize it. This will be a task you will have to take on one day, be you a parent or a granddad or an uncle: you will have to encourage a child to become a reader.
So how do you do it?
According to Pamela Paul, it's simple really; you create a culture of books. Share books in every way you can.
What books do you choose?
Pamela Paul is ready to help you there, too. She has excellent lists of contemporary children's books for every age.
What about children who don't want to read?
Patience, grasshopper, patience. Continue on with your culture of books and it will come in time.
A very helpful book for parents.
So how do you do it?
According to Pamela Paul, it's simple really; you create a culture of books. Share books in every way you can.
What books do you choose?
Pamela Paul is ready to help you there, too. She has excellent lists of contemporary children's books for every age.
What about children who don't want to read?
Patience, grasshopper, patience. Continue on with your culture of books and it will come in time.
A very helpful book for parents.
January 5, 2020
Pamela Paul and Maria Russo provide helpful advice and guidance about how parents can raise children to be readers, and how to keep those children reading. They lay out methods, guidelines, book lists and positive motivational techniques for parents to follow. In the introduction they present two different reading situations that children and parents face:
"School is where children learn that they have to read. Home is where kids learn to read because they want to. It's where they learn to love to read."
The reading life of a child is covered from infancy to the teen years. Reading to an infant may seem ludicrous to some, and keeping a teenager interested in reading can seem equally ludicrous. Those two time periods in a child's life are crucial, and favorable results for a child to become a reader can be achieved by way of good information for parents, which is what this book provides.
Reading at home begins with parents, and it begins in the crib. From the moment a child is born they are ready to take in and absorb many types of stimulation, and that includes language formation. The authors write authoritatively about why to read to an infant, and offer suggested books, and ways to do this type of reading. What Paul and Russo are discussing is not new or revolutionary, instead they are reinforcing concepts and methods that have proven to be valid basic steps in creating a lifelong love of reading. What is new is the authors' presentation of these ideas, done in a manner that is fresh, inviting and very doable.
The teen years are the most challenging, " ... not since toddlerhood has your child undergone so much developmental change in so short a time." The following areas are covered: the history of YA (Young Adult) books; how and when parents should step back in asking if their teen is reading; ways to keep them reading; teens who were avid readers may be reading less at this point in their life; and excellent genre book lists.
For those years between infancy and the teen years, Paul and Russo analyze other stages in a child's development and growth as a reader: toddlers, the emerging reader, the independent reader, and the middle grade reader. Each phase in a child's reading life is analyzed by characteristics and challenges; there are book lists; information on how to guide a child's book selection; what to be "wary of" in book selection; "when to consult an outside expert" for help with possible issues such as dyslexia. Throughout this book Pamela Paul and Maria Russo encourage parents to be patient, to be flexible in what they expect of their children, and they offer advice on the different types of behavior patterns that children exhibit throughout those early years of growth.
This is a gem of book, written with insight, love and joy, and excellent information for parents who have children of any age.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library
"School is where children learn that they have to read. Home is where kids learn to read because they want to. It's where they learn to love to read."
The reading life of a child is covered from infancy to the teen years. Reading to an infant may seem ludicrous to some, and keeping a teenager interested in reading can seem equally ludicrous. Those two time periods in a child's life are crucial, and favorable results for a child to become a reader can be achieved by way of good information for parents, which is what this book provides.
Reading at home begins with parents, and it begins in the crib. From the moment a child is born they are ready to take in and absorb many types of stimulation, and that includes language formation. The authors write authoritatively about why to read to an infant, and offer suggested books, and ways to do this type of reading. What Paul and Russo are discussing is not new or revolutionary, instead they are reinforcing concepts and methods that have proven to be valid basic steps in creating a lifelong love of reading. What is new is the authors' presentation of these ideas, done in a manner that is fresh, inviting and very doable.
The teen years are the most challenging, " ... not since toddlerhood has your child undergone so much developmental change in so short a time." The following areas are covered: the history of YA (Young Adult) books; how and when parents should step back in asking if their teen is reading; ways to keep them reading; teens who were avid readers may be reading less at this point in their life; and excellent genre book lists.
For those years between infancy and the teen years, Paul and Russo analyze other stages in a child's development and growth as a reader: toddlers, the emerging reader, the independent reader, and the middle grade reader. Each phase in a child's reading life is analyzed by characteristics and challenges; there are book lists; information on how to guide a child's book selection; what to be "wary of" in book selection; "when to consult an outside expert" for help with possible issues such as dyslexia. Throughout this book Pamela Paul and Maria Russo encourage parents to be patient, to be flexible in what they expect of their children, and they offer advice on the different types of behavior patterns that children exhibit throughout those early years of growth.
This is a gem of book, written with insight, love and joy, and excellent information for parents who have children of any age.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library
September 7, 2019
One of the most common challenges I hear from my blog's readers is their struggle to get their children to keep reading. With so many distractions of an electronic nature, children may seem to have too many alternatives to a good book. What's a parent to do? New York Times Book Review editors Pamela Paul and Maria Russo are full of good ideas and suggestions about common reading pitfalls to avoid.
This book is structured according to developmental stages, from reading to babies, toddlers, primary grades, middle grades to YA suggestions for your teens. One of the things I love about their advice is that they point out how quickly children will notice that their parents aren't reading, are on the phone or otherwise distracted. They encourage family reading time, family audiobooks, and in general, modeling the behavior that you wish to achieve. They also point out that you need to know your child's nature- what engages them, what they fear, and even just making sure you know why your child resists some aspect of reading. One of the author's children was resisting reading alternate pages out loud with their parent and the concerned parent was surprised when the child sighed heavily and said "I hate reading out loud. I have to go so slow." Not what you'd expect unless you know your child is an excited reader who is looking forward to getting to the next page!
I found this book has some good advice, some great booklists, and in general I think it would be either a solid purchase for parents of young children or a book you could check out of the library for strategizing about flagging interest in your middle grader or high schooler.
I received an Advanced Review Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book is structured according to developmental stages, from reading to babies, toddlers, primary grades, middle grades to YA suggestions for your teens. One of the things I love about their advice is that they point out how quickly children will notice that their parents aren't reading, are on the phone or otherwise distracted. They encourage family reading time, family audiobooks, and in general, modeling the behavior that you wish to achieve. They also point out that you need to know your child's nature- what engages them, what they fear, and even just making sure you know why your child resists some aspect of reading. One of the author's children was resisting reading alternate pages out loud with their parent and the concerned parent was surprised when the child sighed heavily and said "I hate reading out loud. I have to go so slow." Not what you'd expect unless you know your child is an excited reader who is looking forward to getting to the next page!
I found this book has some good advice, some great booklists, and in general I think it would be either a solid purchase for parents of young children or a book you could check out of the library for strategizing about flagging interest in your middle grader or high schooler.
I received an Advanced Review Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2023
Fijn informatief boek over de verschillende "leesfases" van een jonge lezer. Bomvol praktische tips, zachte aanmoedigingen en boekenliefde. Het boek richt zich in toon voornamelijk op opvoeders en de echte basics van het lezen maar voor boekhandelaars, bibliotheekmedewerkers of leesconsulenten kan dit een waardevol naslagwerk zijn.
June 15, 2020
I loved the details and specifics for guiding kids to love reading and how to support them at different stages of life. My one complaint is that the book just kind of ... ended. I feel like a big wrap up or conclusion would’ve been helpful.
March 10, 2021
«Як виховати читача» - книга двох редакторок розділу дитячої літератури New York Times з порадами, які допоможуть вам створити умови, за яких малюки стануть книголюбами.
Ідея книжки чудова. Якісний друк та папір, гарні ілюстрації, добре структурована. Книжка поділена на п’ять частин відповідно до віку юних читачів – від новонароджених і до старших підлітків. В кінці кожної частини є список рекомендованої на цей вік літератури з коротким описом кожної книжки. Останній розділ – це також списки рекомендованих книжок, але вже за тематикою. Ще є дуже цінний розділ зі списком книжок українських авторів від порталу «БараБука».
Але користі з цієї книжки я отримала мало.
Найбільш цікавий, на мою думку, і корисний - перший розділ, про найменших. Думаю, новоспеченим батькам може бути непросто розібратися в різноманітті дитячої літератури – з якого віку починати читати дитині і які саме книжки, як організувати місце для книжок і читання і яке має значення спільне читання з батьками? Принаймні, у мене такі питання були 9 років тому і вчилася я на своїх помилках – невдало підібрані книжки, дарма витрачені кошти і час. З підказками «Як виховати читача» мені було значно простіше.
Але, в частинах, присвячених мотивації до спільного читання з дітьми, мені бракувало посилань на наукові дослідження, яких є чимало на цю тему.
А найбільшим мінусом стало те, що ця книга про американські книжки, американських читачів в американських реаліях. Більшість зі згаданих в тексті книжок, українською не видавалися (про ті, які видавалися зазначено в примітках зі згадкою видавництва та перекладача). Мені бракувало імен наших авторів та ілюстраторів, назв українських книжок. Часто ловила себе на думці, що читаю і не розумію про що йдеться – авторки розхвалюють книжку, а я про неї не чула і не уявляю про що вона і прочитати не маю шансу, бо з англійською у мене не дуже, а українською не перекладена. Та навіть якби і з англійською було ок, де б я її купила? Тому зі вставок з добірками к��ижок, які скомпонували авторки, мало користі. Добре, що є список від «БараБуки», але він дуже короткий, якщо порівняти зі списками авторок.
Ну і мало користі з частин присвячених наприклад бібліотекам, бо у нас ситуація з ними значно гірша – наповненість фондів бібліотек в маленьких містечках дуже погана. Я була у нас в Боярці в бібліотеці і в Малютинці, там нема на що дивитися. Про облаштування простору бібліотечного взагалі мовчу. Або що мені з розповідей про американські книжкові премії? Я б із значно більшим інтересом почитала про наші. Чи про їхні д��тячі книгарні, якщо я в Україні жодної такої не знаю? Я подумала, що нам дуже потрібна така книжка, але українських автороів, про наші книжки і наші книжкові реалії. Як виховати читача в Україні, щось таке.
Поради в книжці всі хороші, але мені здається, що якщо батьки хоч трохи на хвилі зі своєю дитиною, то всі ці речі і без книжки їм зрозумілі - оточуйте свою дитину книжками з малечку, читайте їй вголос якомога більше, не влаштовуйте з читання змагання, не примушуйте і не тисніть, подавайте самі приклад захоплених читачів, водіть на презентації і зустрічі письменників…. Все це і так ясно батькам, які вже хоч трохи в темі.
Я дочитувала книжку через силу, мені здалося що все це можна було розказати коротше.
Підсумую – книжка хороша для новоспечених батьків, але якщо вашому читачеві більше двох років, мені здається, її можна пропустити.
Ідея книжки чудова. Якісний друк та папір, гарні ілюстрації, добре структурована. Книжка поділена на п’ять частин відповідно до віку юних читачів – від новонароджених і до старших підлітків. В кінці кожної частини є список рекомендованої на цей вік літератури з коротким описом кожної книжки. Останній розділ – це також списки рекомендованих книжок, але вже за тематикою. Ще є дуже цінний розділ зі списком книжок українських авторів від порталу «БараБука».
Але користі з цієї книжки я отримала мало.
Найбільш цікавий, на мою думку, і корисний - перший розділ, про найменших. Думаю, новоспеченим батькам може бути непросто розібратися в різноманітті дитячої літератури – з якого віку починати читати дитині і які саме книжки, як організувати місце для книжок і читання і яке має значення спільне читання з батьками? Принаймні, у мене такі питання були 9 років тому і вчилася я на своїх помилках – невдало підібрані книжки, дарма витрачені кошти і час. З підказками «Як виховати читача» мені було значно простіше.
Але, в частинах, присвячених мотивації до спільного читання з дітьми, мені бракувало посилань на наукові дослідження, яких є чимало на цю тему.
А найбільшим мінусом стало те, що ця книга про американські книжки, американських читачів в американських реаліях. Більшість зі згаданих в тексті книжок, українською не видавалися (про ті, які видавалися зазначено в примітках зі згадкою видавництва та перекладача). Мені бракувало імен наших авторів та ілюстраторів, назв українських книжок. Часто ловила себе на думці, що читаю і не розумію про що йдеться – авторки розхвалюють книжку, а я про неї не чула і не уявляю про що вона і прочитати не маю шансу, бо з англійською у мене не дуже, а українською не перекладена. Та навіть якби і з англійською було ок, де б я її купила? Тому зі вставок з добірками к��ижок, які скомпонували авторки, мало користі. Добре, що є список від «БараБуки», але він дуже короткий, якщо порівняти зі списками авторок.
Ну і мало користі з частин присвячених наприклад бібліотекам, бо у нас ситуація з ними значно гірша – наповненість фондів бібліотек в маленьких містечках дуже погана. Я була у нас в Боярці в бібліотеці і в Малютинці, там нема на що дивитися. Про облаштування простору бібліотечного взагалі мовчу. Або що мені з розповідей про американські книжкові премії? Я б із значно більшим інтересом почитала про наші. Чи про їхні д��тячі книгарні, якщо я в Україні жодної такої не знаю? Я подумала, що нам дуже потрібна така книжка, але українських автороів, про наші книжки і наші книжкові реалії. Як виховати читача в Україні, щось таке.
Поради в книжці всі хороші, але мені здається, що якщо батьки хоч трохи на хвилі зі своєю дитиною, то всі ці речі і без книжки їм зрозумілі - оточуйте свою дитину книжками з малечку, читайте їй вголос якомога більше, не влаштовуйте з читання змагання, не примушуйте і не тисніть, подавайте самі приклад захоплених читачів, водіть на презентації і зустрічі письменників…. Все це і так ясно батькам, які вже хоч трохи в темі.
Я дочитувала книжку через силу, мені здалося що все це можна було розказати коротше.
Підсумую – книжка хороша для новоспечених батьків, але якщо вашому читачеві більше двох років, мені здається, її можна пропустити.
September 29, 2020
A visually appealing and list-rich book about reading in the home, by the current editor of the NYT book review (former children's book editor) and the current editor of the NYT children's book review. Between them, they have six children and plenty of experience with raising readers (hint: be the reader you want your children to be).
Worth it for the lists, but honestly I found very little new material here. The value lies in its visual appeal and accessibility to busy parents: each paragraph has a header, and since it's written by two editors, the prose is finely-tuned. They should have cited more of their research, and frankly, could have gone a lot farther in the section geared to children ages 0-3. I loved the suggestion to get other adults besides parents having a mini book club with teens. I wish I'd had that as a teenager, and look forward to being that person for a teen or cajoling my family members to read with my kids.
Even though I'm years away from the pitter-patter of little feet, reading this book gratified me. I'm a dedicated reader, and my husband and I often spend our evenings reading together in our home library (who needs a "parlor" when you can have floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and assorted armchairs from the side of the road?). According to Paul and Russo, I'm already doing the three things I need to do to ensure my children read. First, I am a reader. Second, I spend a good part of my leisure time reading. Third, I have a lot of books. Also, we have a standing weekly library trip. So, while this book didn't instruct me much in my own reading life (nor did I expect it to), it gave me food for thought as I consider creating a bookish culture in my home. Just in case hanging book-themed art on the walls isn't enough....
I'd recommend this to busy parents who want to create a culture of reading in their home. The book recommendations are a bit skewed to recent publications, given the authors' professions, but they appreciate the classics, too. The long lists at the end, with categories like "Tearjerkers" and "Courage and Fear," are age-graded and particularly useful for readers (parents?) looking for particular types of books.
Worth it for the lists, but honestly I found very little new material here. The value lies in its visual appeal and accessibility to busy parents: each paragraph has a header, and since it's written by two editors, the prose is finely-tuned. They should have cited more of their research, and frankly, could have gone a lot farther in the section geared to children ages 0-3. I loved the suggestion to get other adults besides parents having a mini book club with teens. I wish I'd had that as a teenager, and look forward to being that person for a teen or cajoling my family members to read with my kids.
Even though I'm years away from the pitter-patter of little feet, reading this book gratified me. I'm a dedicated reader, and my husband and I often spend our evenings reading together in our home library (who needs a "parlor" when you can have floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and assorted armchairs from the side of the road?). According to Paul and Russo, I'm already doing the three things I need to do to ensure my children read. First, I am a reader. Second, I spend a good part of my leisure time reading. Third, I have a lot of books. Also, we have a standing weekly library trip. So, while this book didn't instruct me much in my own reading life (nor did I expect it to), it gave me food for thought as I consider creating a bookish culture in my home. Just in case hanging book-themed art on the walls isn't enough....
I'd recommend this to busy parents who want to create a culture of reading in their home. The book recommendations are a bit skewed to recent publications, given the authors' professions, but they appreciate the classics, too. The long lists at the end, with categories like "Tearjerkers" and "Courage and Fear," are age-graded and particularly useful for readers (parents?) looking for particular types of books.
March 7, 2021
Памела Пол та Марія Руссо, самі мами багатодітної родини а ще редакторки The New York Times Book Review
Свого часу вони зіткнулися з проблемою що ж можна читати їхнім дітям і де знайти цю літературу?
Тому вони вирішили поділитися своїм досвідом та уклали його у цю книгу
⠀
"Як виховати читача" - це книга, що розповідає про те, що краще читати дітям та підліткам, а ще як саме, варто читати. Тут зібрано чимало порад щодо того, як обирати книжки для певного віку, або як заохотити дитину до читання.
⠀
А ще тут безліч цікавих доповнень 😍
Наприклад "Майте на увазі" де авторки зауважують деякі деталі та дають цікаві поради, або "Наша добірка" де можна прочитати список книжок, які радять!
⠀
Кожна частина книги відноситься до певного віку читачів: немовлят, малюків, читач-школяр, підліток.
І це є надзвичайно цінним, адже мені було цікаво прочитати про книжки, які авторки радять моєму віку, і які віку моєї сестри та не загубитися в них ☺️
⠀
І ще однією знахідкою для мене була підбірка книжок для різного віку від мого улюбленого книжкового простору Барабуки ❤️❤️
⠀
У ній зібрані книжки українських авторів, тому українські читачі зможуть знайти собі підходящу книгу 😉
⠀
Мені книга сподобалася! Спершу я трохи лякалася через розмір (260 сторінок), і думкою а чи сподобається мені книга? Та все ж зважилася прочитати і таки не розчарувалася!
⠀
Було цікаво читати про те, які книги письменниці радять читати дітям молодшим від мене. А ще прикольно було згадувати, про те, які книги я читала раніше 😁
⠀
Звісно ж найбільше мені сподобався розділ по підлітків. А особливо підбірка книг для них!😍 Вона просто чудова, і я знайшла у ній багато знайомих ❤️
Свого часу вони зіткнулися з проблемою що ж можна читати їхнім дітям і де знайти цю літературу?
Тому вони вирішили поділитися своїм досвідом та уклали його у цю книгу
⠀
"Як виховати читача" - це книга, що розповідає про те, що краще читати дітям та підліткам, а ще як саме, варто читати. Тут зібрано чимало порад щодо того, як обирати книжки для певного віку, або як заохотити дитину до читання.
⠀
А ще тут безліч цікавих доповнень 😍
Наприклад "Майте на увазі" де авторки зауважують деякі деталі та дають цікаві поради, або "Наша добірка" де можна прочитати список книжок, які радять!
⠀
Кожна частина книги відноситься до певного віку читачів: немовлят, малюків, читач-школяр, підліток.
І це є надзвичайно цінним, адже мені було цікаво прочитати про книжки, які авторки радять моєму віку, і які віку моєї сестри та не загубитися в них ☺️
⠀
І ще однією знахідкою для мене була підбірка книжок для різного віку від мого улюбленого книжкового простору Барабуки ❤️❤️
⠀
У ній зібрані книжки українських авторів, тому українські читачі зможуть знайти собі підходящу книгу 😉
⠀
Мені книга сподобалася! Спершу я трохи лякалася через розмір (260 сторінок), і думкою а чи сподобається мені книга? Та все ж зважилася прочитати і таки не розчарувалася!
⠀
Було цікаво читати про те, які книги письменниці радять читати дітям молодшим від мене. А ще прикольно було згадувати, про те, які книги я читала раніше 😁
⠀
Звісно ж найбільше мені сподобався розділ по підлітків. А особливо підбірка книг для них!😍 Вона просто чудова, і я знайшла у ній багато знайомих ❤️
October 15, 2019
This is an inspiring and motivating book written by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo. They both are mothers of three kids and experts about children's books.
I think this book is a must-have for all parents who want to raise readers. In fact, as an adult, even I felt so motivated after reading this book. Both the authors have done a great job in writing this book. They have talked about each stage (from a newborn to a teenager) and have mentioned so many tips and tricks so that we can encourage our kids at every stage. I think some of the tips and tricks can also be used by us adults for the matter of fact. They have also given the book recommendation for every stage. This book is a gem and with all this information, the most important thing suggested by them is to have patience at a stage when your child is struggling to become a reader or is having some other issues just support him or her. This is all they need.
The writing is quite promising and reading this book is a delight. For instance, at the beginning of this book, the author writes about how reading a wonderful book is like a therapy. Even if you are stressed or the day is challenging for you, a good book can make you feel lifted up. On days when we are fully exhausted, we can just sit with our kids and start reading a book and the world is a different place altogether.
All in all a great book to read. Thank you netgalley and Workman Publishing Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book is a must-have for all parents who want to raise readers. In fact, as an adult, even I felt so motivated after reading this book. Both the authors have done a great job in writing this book. They have talked about each stage (from a newborn to a teenager) and have mentioned so many tips and tricks so that we can encourage our kids at every stage. I think some of the tips and tricks can also be used by us adults for the matter of fact. They have also given the book recommendation for every stage. This book is a gem and with all this information, the most important thing suggested by them is to have patience at a stage when your child is struggling to become a reader or is having some other issues just support him or her. This is all they need.
The writing is quite promising and reading this book is a delight. For instance, at the beginning of this book, the author writes about how reading a wonderful book is like a therapy. Even if you are stressed or the day is challenging for you, a good book can make you feel lifted up. On days when we are fully exhausted, we can just sit with our kids and start reading a book and the world is a different place altogether.
All in all a great book to read. Thank you netgalley and Workman Publishing Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2020
In the introduction, Pamela Paul (editor of NYT book review) says even on days when she has nothing left to give, she can sit down and read a book with her kids. That's the kind of person I want my book recommendations from.
March 22, 2019
Wow, what a treasure! How to Raise A Reader stood out to me as the parent of a middle-grade reader and a new reader in Kindergarten. This book is divided into sections from babies to teenagers. The advice is approachable and relatable and I loved that it was coupled with specific book suggestions and also some types you might want to avoid.
How to Raise A Reader would be a great refresher for someone who has been a lifelong reader or really helpful advice for someone who is hoping to incorporate regular reading into their families lives for the first time.
The directory at the end of the book gave wonderful suggestions by not only genre and age groups but also by important messages such as kindness and empathy. Sometimes the number of books that are available to us as parents can feel overwhelming so having a list of suggestions about different topics was a wonderful addition to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
How to Raise A Reader would be a great refresher for someone who has been a lifelong reader or really helpful advice for someone who is hoping to incorporate regular reading into their families lives for the first time.
The directory at the end of the book gave wonderful suggestions by not only genre and age groups but also by important messages such as kindness and empathy. Sometimes the number of books that are available to us as parents can feel overwhelming so having a list of suggestions about different topics was a wonderful addition to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2019
Full of good suggestions & book recommendations!
May 29, 2020
As you can see from my shameless clogging of your feed, the best thing I got out of this was the wonderful book suggestions for my little readers! I didn't agree with lots of the philosophies presented here, but like I said, the BOOK LISTS. Also, the first section of the book is illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, whose work I'm beginning to love. Would recommend to any book nerds like myself just because it's fun to read about reading.
May 28, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley (thanks, NetGalley!) and was tickled to find I liked this book as much as I did. This feels like the parent companion to voices in education like Donalyn Miller and Penny Kittle. It talks more about prolonging readaloud snuggle time into elementary school than an aggressive dream of high test scores in teenagedom. I agree with other reviews that it would make a darn perfect baby shower present.
The book is divided into parts, tackling babyhood, toddlerdom, early readers, middle grade childhood, and teenage years separately. Each part has a summary of what reading looks like at that age, some tips and caveats, and then a list of recommended books. I was charmed to see the books included were a mix of current and classic, and always kept representation in mind. The authors are clearly writing for a bookish audience, with ever-so-occasional nods to classic literature ("It is a truth universally acknowledged that a child in possession of the ability to read must be in want of a series") that prompt delight more often than eye-rolls.
As a middle school teacher, this is a book I know I'll recommend to parents when they bemoan their child is not the reader they had hoped. It is not a fix-it plan, but it does provide guidance. Make time. Strive for intrinsic motivation. Show your reading. Let books be available, without being forced. Accept topics and genres you don't think are "good enough." I plan to buy a copy to put outside my door during parent conferences.
The book is divided into parts, tackling babyhood, toddlerdom, early readers, middle grade childhood, and teenage years separately. Each part has a summary of what reading looks like at that age, some tips and caveats, and then a list of recommended books. I was charmed to see the books included were a mix of current and classic, and always kept representation in mind. The authors are clearly writing for a bookish audience, with ever-so-occasional nods to classic literature ("It is a truth universally acknowledged that a child in possession of the ability to read must be in want of a series") that prompt delight more often than eye-rolls.
As a middle school teacher, this is a book I know I'll recommend to parents when they bemoan their child is not the reader they had hoped. It is not a fix-it plan, but it does provide guidance. Make time. Strive for intrinsic motivation. Show your reading. Let books be available, without being forced. Accept topics and genres you don't think are "good enough." I plan to buy a copy to put outside my door during parent conferences.
May 21, 2020
Wonderful. I want to buy a copy for every expecting and new (and not new) parent I know, as it distills everything I could think to tell them (and more) from my 20+ year career as a librarian into clear, concise tidbits. The reading recommendations are excellent; the advice (and philosophy behind it) indispensable. I've said many of the same things myself, but they say it better. If you have children, this book is for you.
September 10, 2019
I highly recommend this book that is both a how-to guide to ensure a lifetime love of reading and a compilation of age-appropriate recommendations. I worried that with a nine- and 12-year-old, I found this too late, yet, while I would’ve liked to read it 12 years ago, it is timely for parents of kids of all ages through high school.
September 9, 2023
A great and encouraging read for parents of kids of any age. I love the way it's organized, moving through a child's developmental stages with specific tips and insights on how a child's brain works during that age.
Above all, the message is to treat reading as its own reward, and I believe that is the key to enjoying reading. Even as adults, we can read to glean information, to analyze, to equip ourselves with tools for debate, to escape, to avoid...it all pales when compared to the love of reading for the sake of reading. Everything else becomes a byproduct.
Overall, very helpful read. Packed with recommendations for every age and situation, this is a great book to keep as a reference as your child grows up.
Above all, the message is to treat reading as its own reward, and I believe that is the key to enjoying reading. Even as adults, we can read to glean information, to analyze, to equip ourselves with tools for debate, to escape, to avoid...it all pales when compared to the love of reading for the sake of reading. Everything else becomes a byproduct.
Overall, very helpful read. Packed with recommendations for every age and situation, this is a great book to keep as a reference as your child grows up.
April 8, 2024
It was fine, definitely enjoyed "The Read Aloud Handbook" much better. It was a quick read, being just under 200 pages and probably about 30% of that was book recommendations which I kind of skimmed through. There was definitely some woke agenda although it wasn't completely in your face. I also felt they had a bit of a double standard when it came to screen time. In one chapter they were preaching no screen time or very little, try to keep your kids into books and off of screens as much as possible. In the next chapter they were recommending kids link up with their favorite authors on social media, watch YouTube videos from their favorite authors, maybe make their own videos on YouTube based on their favorite books etc. Just seem to be a bit of a mixed message.
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