Connecting Children and Books

Choosing the book

- Choose books you enjoy!

- The younger the audience the more the appearance of the book is important (i.e. Large pictures, colorful pictures) but Remember there are good picture books for older students

- The bigger the audience the larger the pictures for a picture book audience

- Look at the rhyme and patterns of language (text of story should flow nicely)

- Variety is nice but choose some that allow participation (repeating a phrase, guessing what’s next, putting actions with words)

- Consider the intellectual, social, and emotional level of the audience and know your audience (their interests, how long they can sit, grade level)

- If choosing a novel don’t pick one that many of the children have already heard or seen on television and avoid ones that have a lot of dialog

- Watch those sad endings

Preparation

- Read the book through more than once if possible. Find out how to pronounce difficult words.

- Gather any additional information you might want to present such as information on the author, information about a time period, animal or something else students may need to know.\

- Gather a copy or copies of the books students can check out

- Plan enough time so you can introduce the story, read the story, and discuss the story. Caroline Bauer says it takes about 2 ½ minutes to read a full page of text at an enjoyable speed.
-Pick a good location-comfortable seating for audience close to the reader, make sure everyone can see the pictures (reader slightly above), avoid reading in front of brightly lit windows since backlighting strains the eyes of your audience.

Techniques

-Have multiple books and let the children choose which one they want to hear

-Read the title and the author’s name and the illustrator’s name. If time bring the author to life by telling about the author.

-If reading a picture book point out the cover illustration and invite the children to predict what the book is about.

- READ WITH EXPRESSION AND ENTHUSIASM, change your voice to fit the dialog, mood, or action. Bring the book to life.

- Maintain good pitch, volume and watch your speed and enunciate clearly but change your voice to add interest

- Let your facial expression show the emotion in the story

- Hold the book so pictures are visible to audience

- Point to characters or objects in the pictures as you read about them

- Pause and make eye contact with audience every so often at the same time watch for signs of confusion or boredom.

- Keep listeners involved by asking “What do you think is going to happen?” or joining in on repetitive phrases or pause on a key word so listeners can add it

- Add information, change words, or explain words to help students understand what’s going on
If reading a chapter book and running out of time find a suspenseful place to stop. Leave the audience hanging.

-HAVE FUN!

Pitfalls and Follow Up

- If a titles not working stop at a good spot and tell students they can read the end for themselves
Jim Trelease says “Avoid long descriptive passages until child’s imagination and attention span are capable of handling them. There is nothing wrong with shortening or eliminating them.”

- If you are reading a chapter book and have gone a long time since read last have a group recap.