Help children live 'happily ever after' -- read to them

By Susan Cassidy

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Any parent can increase a child's chances of success in school and in life.

The cost? Twenty minutes a day and a free public library card.

Research has shown that reading aloud to children is "the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading," according to a 1985 U.S. Department of Education report titled "Becoming a Nation of Readers: The Report of the Commission on Reading."

That's right. Not flashcards, not worksheets, not tests. Just reading aloud.

In order to become a good reader, one must read a lot; in order to read a lot, one must enjoy reading. Reading aloud to children is the best way to create that enjoyment. For pre-readers, listening to a fun picture book creates a positive association with books and reading. For kids who already read, listening to an exciting novel exposes them to the wonders awaiting them as their own skills improve. Too many children think reading is a chore because they haven't experienced enough of the pleasure that books can bring.

Children's listening vocabulary is far greater than their reading vocabulary. Not until about the eighth grade do the the two match up. So a child who cannot read can listen with pleasure to picture books and short novels, and children who can read on a second-grade level can enjoy stories written several grade levels above. While they are listening, they are increasing their vocabulary as well. Words a child already knows the meaning of are much easier to sound out when the child is reading on her own. The child who has been read to regularly not only wants to read but, because of his increased vocabulary, has a far easier time with the task.

To get started, try a favorite book from your childhood or one of these:

— "Is Your Mama a Llama?" by Deborah Guarino, with pictures by Steven Kellogg (Scholastic, $6.99), perfectly combines an animal guessing game with appealing full-color illustrations. Toddlers and preschoolers can't help but become engaged, and the nicely rhyming text is ideal for reading aloud.

— "Owl Babies," by Martin Waddell (Candlewick, $6.99), is the enchanting story of three owlets worried that their mother, who is out hunting, will not return. The illustrations of the softly colored baby owls set against a black night will captivate preschool listeners, and the dialogue among the three invites the reader to try out different voices.

— "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," by William Steig (Aladdin, $7.99), tells the story of a young donkey who is mistakenly turned into a rock and his ultimate return to his own form after both he and his parents have given up hope of seeing each other again. Illustrated with Caldecott award-winning watercolors, this poignant tale will start discussions with children age 5 to 8.

— "Charlotte's Web," by E.B. White (HarperCollins, $6.99), is a beautifully written novel about a spring pig and the spider who saves him from his expected fate. It deals with all the big issues of life in a story that is perfectly accessible to children. Often read aloud in fourth-grade classrooms, this book can also be enjoyed by children as young as 5 if they are experienced listeners. A word of warning to the adult reader -- the ending will make you cry.

— "Poppy," by Avi (HarperCollins, $5.99), is the first in a series of adventure novels about the animals of Dimwood Forest. Poppy, a young deer mouse, finds the courage to challenge the owl who has been subjugating her family and eventually lead them all to a safer home. It's exciting, amusing and appealing to both boys and girls ages 7 to 10.

— "Bud, Not Buddy," by Christopher Paul Curtis (Laurel Leaf, $6.99), is the Newbery Award-winning story of a 10-year-old foster child searching for his missing father during the Depression. Humor, compassion and the original voice of Buddy make this an unforgettable read-aloud to kids 9 to 13.

For more suggestions, visit the public library or check out the Web site from read-aloud guru Jim Trelease, author of the all-time best-selling guide to children's literature, "The Read Aloud Handbook" (Penguin, $9.75) His site, www.trelease-on-reading. com, like his book, has compelling research, inspiring anecdotes and tons of book suggestions. No matter what you read, these tips will help make your efforts successful:

Choose books you like. If you are bored with the book, your lack of enthusiasm will show in your reading.

Read slowly. Nearly everyone reads aloud too quickly, making it difficult for the listeners to follow.

Read with expression. Use different voices for the characters; get excited when the plot dictates, or get quiet during a suspenseful part.

Susan Cassidy is a children's librarian with the Stanislaus County Library.