Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Easy independent books equate to success
By Kendal Rautzhan, Columnist
Monday, February 18, 2008 | No comments posted.
It’s a glorious thing to watch the expression on a child’s face when he/she is first able to read. The child is almost stunned that what was once a scramble of letters now makes sense. It is the ultimate “ah-ha” in discovering this new, powerful, and “grown-up” skill.
Once the wheels of this skill are set into motion, the best thing the adult can do to encourage the child to continue with independent reading is to provide the child with reading materials that aren’t too difficult — reading materials on or below the child’s reading level. Independent reading doesn’t mean children want to labor over what they are reading. The very act of reading independently should be pleasurable. Forcing a child to stumble through works that are too difficult may ultimately stymie future interest.
Today’s reviewed books are great choices for independent readers of various ages/abilities. Of course, these books also are terrific choices to read aloud. Either way, a good story sends a positive message about the joy of reading, and that is the mission whether reading aloud or independently.
Books to Borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Minnie and Moo: The Night of the Living Bed” written and illustrated by Denys Cazet, HarperCollins, 48 pages
Read aloud: age 4 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 and older.
Another in HarperCollins’ “I Can Read!” series, this hilarious and crazy story of Minnie and Moo is bound to keep kids in stitches.
Minnie and Moo are cows, best friends, and Minnie loves chocolate more than anything. One night the friends are asleep in their bed under a tree on a hill when Minnie has a bad dream — a giant mouse eats the last piece bit of chocolate in the whole world. Minnie is so terrified, she wakes up yelling, shaking Moo, and they both tumble out of bed, causing the bed to roll down the hill with the two cows dashing after it in hot pursuit.
Catching up to the runaway bed, Minnie and Moo hop on as the bed zooms through a barn and scoops up more animals and proceeds straight into town. One bizarre event leads to another, coupled with the fact that it’s Halloween and trick-or-treaters are all over the place. Maybe they could join the fun and get some chocolate after all. ...
Get ready for a wild ride in more ways than one — this adventure of Minnie and Moo is pure delight!
Books to Buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
• “Ordinary Basil: Attack of the Volcano Monkeys” written and illustrated by Wiley Miller, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 2008, 128 pages, $14.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 7 and older.
Read yourself: age 8 – 9 and older.
Twelve-year-old Basil must save his friend, Louise, who is in trouble on the mysterious, super-secret Monkey Island. The situation on Monkey Island has gone out of control, where warring monkeys are as clever as humans and an evil genius threatens to destroy the world. Will Basil and Louise be able to fight the dangerous forces that surround their every move and emerge victorious?
The second installment in the “Ordinary Basil” series, this fast-paced adventure, complete with colorful illustrations throughout, promises to captivate young readers start to finish.
• “I Can Read! Mouse Soup” written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, HarperTrophy, 2008, 64 pages, $9.99 paperback with CD
Read aloud: ages 3-4 and older.
Read yourself: ages 6-7.
A mouse sat under a tree reading his book. Suddenly, a weasel jumped out, caught the mouse, took the mouse home and put it in his cooking pot. Eeek! The weasel was going to make mouse soup! Fortunately, the mouse convinced the weasel that mouse soup would taste much better if it had stories in it. Stories? Oh yes — four stories to be exact!
Complete with an unabridged CD with music and special effects, this latest “I Can Read!” book for newly independent readers is bound to elicit giggles on every page.
(Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.)
Once the wheels of this skill are set into motion, the best thing the adult can do to encourage the child to continue with independent reading is to provide the child with reading materials that aren’t too difficult — reading materials on or below the child’s reading level. Independent reading doesn’t mean children want to labor over what they are reading. The very act of reading independently should be pleasurable. Forcing a child to stumble through works that are too difficult may ultimately stymie future interest.
Today’s reviewed books are great choices for independent readers of various ages/abilities. Of course, these books also are terrific choices to read aloud. Either way, a good story sends a positive message about the joy of reading, and that is the mission whether reading aloud or independently.
Books to Borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Minnie and Moo: The Night of the Living Bed” written and illustrated by Denys Cazet, HarperCollins, 48 pages
Read aloud: age 4 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 and older.
Another in HarperCollins’ “I Can Read!” series, this hilarious and crazy story of Minnie and Moo is bound to keep kids in stitches.
Minnie and Moo are cows, best friends, and Minnie loves chocolate more than anything. One night the friends are asleep in their bed under a tree on a hill when Minnie has a bad dream — a giant mouse eats the last piece bit of chocolate in the whole world. Minnie is so terrified, she wakes up yelling, shaking Moo, and they both tumble out of bed, causing the bed to roll down the hill with the two cows dashing after it in hot pursuit.
Catching up to the runaway bed, Minnie and Moo hop on as the bed zooms through a barn and scoops up more animals and proceeds straight into town. One bizarre event leads to another, coupled with the fact that it’s Halloween and trick-or-treaters are all over the place. Maybe they could join the fun and get some chocolate after all. ...
Get ready for a wild ride in more ways than one — this adventure of Minnie and Moo is pure delight!
Books to Buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
• “Ordinary Basil: Attack of the Volcano Monkeys” written and illustrated by Wiley Miller, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 2008, 128 pages, $14.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 7 and older.
Read yourself: age 8 – 9 and older.
Twelve-year-old Basil must save his friend, Louise, who is in trouble on the mysterious, super-secret Monkey Island. The situation on Monkey Island has gone out of control, where warring monkeys are as clever as humans and an evil genius threatens to destroy the world. Will Basil and Louise be able to fight the dangerous forces that surround their every move and emerge victorious?
The second installment in the “Ordinary Basil” series, this fast-paced adventure, complete with colorful illustrations throughout, promises to captivate young readers start to finish.
• “I Can Read! Mouse Soup” written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, HarperTrophy, 2008, 64 pages, $9.99 paperback with CD
Read aloud: ages 3-4 and older.
Read yourself: ages 6-7.
A mouse sat under a tree reading his book. Suddenly, a weasel jumped out, caught the mouse, took the mouse home and put it in his cooking pot. Eeek! The weasel was going to make mouse soup! Fortunately, the mouse convinced the weasel that mouse soup would taste much better if it had stories in it. Stories? Oh yes — four stories to be exact!
Complete with an unabridged CD with music and special effects, this latest “I Can Read!” book for newly independent readers is bound to elicit giggles on every page.
(Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.)
Librarian's Choice
• Library: Langlois Public Library, 48234 Hwy. 101, Langlois
• Library Director: Nancy Angelesco
• Program Coordinator/Children’s Services: Therese Menzel
• Choices this week: “Could Be Worse” by James Stevenson; “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett; “The Hardy Boys” series by Franklin W. Dixon
• Library: Langlois Public Library, 48234 Hwy. 101, Langlois
• Library Director: Nancy Angelesco
• Program Coordinator/Children’s Services: Therese Menzel
• Choices this week: “Could Be Worse” by James Stevenson; “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett; “The Hardy Boys” series by Franklin W. Dixon
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines