The Read Aloud Magic Newsletter

"Improving children's lives through Read Aloud."

April 17, 2009

Hello, Read Aloud friends.

Recently, I was fortunate to attend a function that featured Dr. Ben Carson as the keynote speaker. As you may know, Dr. Carson is the Chief Pediatric Neurologist at John Hopkins University Medical Center, and his amazing story is an inspiration to parents everywhere who want the best for their children.

As a youth, Dr. Carson was a very poor student and was heading towards a lifetime of struggles and hardship until the day his illiterate mother made the decision to bring books into her two boys’ lives. The TV was turned off, and books became the focus of their home life.

Dr. Carson has always inspired me, but this recent evening especially cemented his message in my heart. The next day in class I encouraged my students to share stories about books and about the power of books to change a life. I was so encouraged to hear some of my students share their family’s commitments to restricting the amount of television and video games.

Whether it be enjoying Read Aloud time with you, or using their imagination while playing outside, these activities encourage your child’s brain development and growth of critical background knowledge. I am so impressed and proud of any parent who puts these healthy activities as a priority in their children's lives.

Ben Carson's book, Gifted Hands, tells his life story and it would be a great family read aloud.

Also, there is an excellent movie version of the Ben Carson story that first aired in February 2009 on the TNT network. It stars Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the lead role. Not surprisingly, the movie's title is, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Keep your eyes open for an "Encore Presentation."

I've watched this movie in its entirety and I highly recommend it for parents as well as for age appropriate children. Just be sure to discuss it thoroughly with your children after watching it with them.

Also, watch for the pivotal moment in the movie. It happens quickly and refers to "turning off the TV and reading two books a week." It made a profound difference in Dr. Carson's life, and as a result, in the life of everyone he has touched!

To Your Read Aloud Success,

Susan Frankenberg
Read Aloud Coach and
Author of Read Aloud Magic

A Noteworthy Quote

"In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent, for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child. I speak to you not just as a President, but as a father, when I say that responsibility for our children's education must begin at home. That is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. That's an American issue."

-- President Barack Obama
State of the Nation Address
February 24, 2009

Helping to Connect Your Child to Books

If you want books to become inviting, get them off the shelf and out into the open! Think about it, when they are neatly arranged on the shelf, the beautifully illustrated covers are hidden. Make them as accessible as toys!

I have seen homes where there are large baskets of books in every room. Get out the baskets and put them everywhere from the bedroom to the bathroom. Put one in the car where little hands can reach them and in the kitchen for breakfast or snack times.

Now fill these baskets with books! You don’t have to go out and buy them. Make the baskets vary by using lots of books from the library. Yard sales and used book stores are great places to find some great basket books.

A basket of books makes a statement about how important reading is. The more they are in sight, the more they will get read!

My Current Read Alouds

At Home:
Under the Moon, by Dyan Sheldon seems to be requested a lot by my two granddaughters. With its amazing paintings, it shows young children what the world was like in their neighborhood during Native American times. (To make it really special, have an arrowhead available to show after the story!)

In the Classroom:
In my social studies classes I’m currently reading Ben and Me, by Robert Lawson. It’s a terrific fictional account of Ben Franklin and his mouse buddy, Amos. The humor in this is the viewpoint of the quite secure Amos. Reading Amos’s stories, the words are stretched to insinuate Amos alone was responsible for most if not all of Ben Franklin’s successes. It’s written on a 6th grade level reading level, thus perfect for 4th graders to listen to.

While listening to the adventures Ben and Amos (“Me”) share together, students are also exposed to the history of the culture and history of the 1700’s. This book is broken into short chapters, perfect for a time when read aloud is the jump start to a history class.

In the Classroom:
My class is just finishing Pathki Nana, by Kenneth Thomasma. After continually requesting another Thomasma book for a read aloud, I chose Pathki Nana. Ken Thomasma’s an expert at writing books which captivate the read aloud listener. The chapters are filled with adventures while Pathki Nana’s courage and strength carry her successfully to her goal. Boys and girls alike love these books.

Kenneth Thomasma
I am currently in the process of adding a “Kenneth Thomasma” page to my website. You’ll be able to order a book and CD with Ken Thomasma reading it aloud! I believe his books are so special, especially for reluctant readers. When running into students from years ago, they often remind me how much they loved his read alouds.

Family Read Aloud

First of all, I have to mention this! I have had several parents beginning Read Aloud tell me that during their Read Aloud times, their older children at first were hesitant to participate, but often listen from their bedrooms or even from the stairs! Fantastic! My own dad told me when my grandmother Ruth read aloud to him and his siblings, they would discover some neighborhood kids sitting outside the window...listening.

Recently, all the fourth graders in our school read There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, by Louis Sachar, with their parents. We had a fun time getting together afterwards discussing it in small circles just like adult book clubs do! This is certainly a book for both children and adults (don't let the title or book cover fool you). Every year I’ve done this I've had many parents tell me they just loved the story and the discussions which followed their Read Aloud time.

That’s certainly the magic of Read Aloud! It provokes quality conversations with your child! These conversations naturally lead to closer relationships.

Expect lots of family discussion with this book!

Specific Read Aloud Suggestions

Tiny Ones
I am a Bunny, by Richard Scarry, provides our little ones a trip outside to notice nature and the seasons with an adorable bunny, Nicholas. This is a classic story and always loved!

Preschoolers (about 2-4)
Virginia Lee Burton has written some truly classic children’s books. The Little House relates a tale about a caring little home in the middle of a growing city. All of Burton’s books seem to have a moral literacy to them. Give Mike Mulligan and His Stream Shovel and Katy and the Big Snow, also by Virginia Lee Burton, a try also!

Primary Children (K-3rd Grade)
Roxaboxen, by Alice McLerran, is just the perfect book for spring! It is time to get outside and play, and this picture book is all about imagination and play. Anyone who has enjoyed the outdoors and its imaginary towns and villages will appreciate this precious story.

Intermediate Children (4th-6th Grade)
I still love Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O’ Dell. The story takes place in the early 1800’s, on an island off the coast of California. It reminds me of Robinson Crusoe. Karana, the heroine of the story, learns how to survive after being left behind after her tribe suddenly has to evacuate the island. She discovers wisdoms of nature while developing a friendship with a wild dog and young girl from an enemy tribe. This would be a fun book to use as a springboard into books about dolphins or other ocean animals.

A Book Suggestion for Parents

If I had to list the one book from my parenting days which I am so thankful to have read, it would be Children the Challenge, by Rudolf Dreikurs. It was the book which gave me the answers when parenting was tough, when I needed that quick response to one of my children.

This book provided me with a method for raising children centering on loving relationships and taking responsibility for our actions. I connected with the techniques he presents, neither authoritative nor permissive. Lots of examples are given throughout the book, and during those years of raising young children we all know there are times we just need some good solid advice that works. This book was comfortable and reassuring for me to follow.

Rudolf Dreikurs also wrote Discipline Without Tears, another good resource. It has been around for awhile, so some of the terms or ideas may be a bit outdated, but I have not found a better parent resource. This is in my opinion, the BEST.

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Susan Frankenberg: Read Aloud Coach and Author of Read Aloud Magic.

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