Book of the Week GIVEAWAY:Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Why we love this book:
We are continuing our series on Creating a Balanced Reading Program with a focus on Reading Aloud to Older Children this week. Most parents and teachers do an excellent job of reading to their young children, but once children begin reading independently we tend to stop reading to them. I’ve never met a child, regardless of age, who doesn’t enjoy being read to. However, I have heard many older children say, “I don’t like to read.” We’ve got to change that!
Library Lion is a great read aloud for older children because it is too looooooooong for most young children to sit through. In contrast, older children relish these longer stories with deeper plots and stronger character development. Library Lion is a unique read aloud as it is a longer story with lovely pictures that enhance the story.
The library has very strict rules that must be followed by all. But when a lion attends story hour one day, no one is quite sure what to do. So the lion joins-in and returns, the next day and the next and the day after that too . . . The lion soon becomes a regular at story hour and even begins helping around the library. I know the library lion would definitely agree that everyone enjoys a good read aloud!
Reading Aloud to Older Children
10 Things Older Children Learn From Read Alouds:
1. Reading is FUN!
- When children are young, we cuddle them on our laps and read to them, bonding over their favorite books. As children get older, we turn them lose, allowing them to read independently. What falls by the way side is the bonding and reading for fun.
- As children get older, we focus on reading as an assignment, rather than reading for enjoyment. The longer we read aloud to children strictly for enjoyment the longer they will enjoy reading.
- We want to grow life long readers and learners! So push aside the book reports and assignments and read aloud for pure fun.
2. Books are ENTERTAINING!
- Children need to know that books are entertainment. Books are funny, sad, suspenseful and full of adventure.
- As children grow older they are pulled towards the computer, video games and the T.V. It is our job to pull them back into the world of imagination and stories.
- Books are like T.V. and movies on paper, only more fun because you get to use your imagination.
3. Books are INTERESTING!
- Children love facts! They need to know that books are loaded with interesting tidbits of information.
- We want to grow life long learners that seek out knowledge. Books are knowledge!
- We need to read aloud nonfiction to our children, helping them through new concepts and the development of their growing knowledge.
4. What Good Readers Sound Like
- How to read with fluency.
- How to read with phrasing.
- How to read with expression.
5. What “Story Book Language” Sounds Like
- Most books sound different than our “regular” every day talking. Children need to become familiar with the language of books.
6. New Vocabulary
- Read alouds allow children to experience advanced vocabulary they aren’t ready to read independently.
- I like reading aloud chapter books that are just a few levels above their independent reading level. This helps children get ready for the type of books they’ll independently experience next.
7. How good writers write.
- How writers begin their stories.
- How writers introduce and develop characters.
- How writers develop the setting.
- How writers use descriptive language to paint a world of imagination for us.
8. What genres they like!
- As adults we read “stuff” we like. We need to give children the same freedom.
- If we read a variety of books to children, they’ll have a better understanding of what type of books are available to them.
9. How to read a longer book over a longer period of time.
- Reading a chapter book and stopping and starting day after day is a skill.
- We can help children by discussing the story development with them.
- What happened yesterday?
- What do you think will happen next?
10. Books are like good friends.
- You can revisit them over and over again. Each time you spend time with them, you learn a little bit more about them.
We’re GIVING AWAY one copy of Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
To enter this contest, just answer the following question in the comments section of this post.
What is your favorite novel? (Or just say “Hey.” We’re flexible around here.)
The Rules:
One entry per person, please.
No entries after 8:00 pm Central Time, Thursday, March 1, 2012
The winner must be a resident of The United States.
The winner will be selected at random and announced Friday, March 2, 2012. Check back to claim your prize. It might be you!
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We borrowed Library Lion from the library and my kids LOVED it!
My favorite novel? Hard to say, but I enjoy Alexander McCall Smith’s writings.
Oh my gosh. It’s so hard to pick just one for my favorite novel. I love mysteries and read a ton of those. I also love YA novels. The last one of those that I read that I really loved was Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. It was pretty good. The last adult book I’ve read that I really liked was Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell
There are so many wonderful books it is hard to choose. One of my favorite. Looks to read with kids is The Cow Loves Cookies. My kids also love Library Lion. I should have it memorized by now. Great book!!!
I love so many books but if I was to choose one my favorite right now is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.
I love to read fiction and could spend all day debating what my favorite novel is, so I’ll just limit it to my favorite novel that I’ve read this year (2012).
Quite by accident, I picked up a novel called Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell at the library, knowing nothing about it other than that it seemed to have been reviewed well. (The author is Susanna Clarke.)
Well, once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down, and it’s over 1000 pages! Oh dear me!
I was last week’s lucky winner, so I don’t think I can win again this week, but anyway, if you’re looking for well-written and imaginative novel, and you enjoy stories with magical elements, then I would recommend this book!
In the kids/young adult category, I am a fan of The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. LeGuin and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I’m looking forward to the time when my children will be old enough to enjoy having longer “chapter books” read out loud to them … although we are having a great time at the “picture book” stage, too!
Too many to choose just one!!!
In the past year, the best book I have read is “The Help”. I have read it three times and will probably read it again.
I love to read, but I don’t really read novels. I mainly read true stories or self-help type books. My boys love to be read to. Last week I mentioned Tickle Monster…there has not been one night this past week that they did not request that book (even the 10 year old!)!
It’s hard to choose a favorite novel for me because I love to read, but I truly enjoyed the three books in the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers.
My favorite children’s novels I read during the last year have been Trumpet of the Swan and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit!
My favorite book is usually what we’re currently reading. Right now that’s Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I would say one of my favorite children’s novels was Swallows and Amazons.
I don’t think I could narrow it down but I do love Pride and Prejudice!