MrsK Books: Reading Magic by Mem Fox

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Reading Magic by Mem Fox

Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever

ISBN: 9780156035101

Publisher's Synopsis:

The must-have guide to reading with children, now in a new and revised edition

Best-selling children's author and internationally respected literacy expert Mem Fox reveals the incredible emotional and intellectual impact reading aloud to children has on their ability to learn to read. With passion and humor, Fox speaks of when, where, and why to read aloud and demonstrates how to read aloud to best effect and get the most out of a read-aloud session. She discusses the three secrets of reading, offers guidance on defining and choosing good books, and—for this new edition—includes two new chapters on boy readers and phonics, a foreword, and a list of "Twenty Books That Children Love." Filled with practical advice, activities, and inspiring true read-aloud miracles, this book is a turn-to classic for educators and parents.

MrsK's Review:

What a confirming, inspiring, and supporting read for every teacher... parent... grandparent... and everyone else involved in helping children to grow into life-long readers.

"To give them confidence, beginning readers need to be able to skim right from the start, which sounds like a contradiction: how can they skim if they can’t read? Rhymes and songs provide many words that are easy to “read” since children know in advance — by the predictable rhyme and rhythm — what the correct word will be at the end of a given sentence. They don’t have to “read-see” it. They can “read-guess” it. They begin to think of themselves as readers — the attitude comes first, and the skills follow."

When I share a book with others, I always say "this is one of my favorite reads." Every time it is my truth for that moment... for that book... for that author... for each of those within the sound of my voice. When I am searching for a book to share from my shelves, I always locate the treasured title... and yet there are so many that begin "crying" for me to pick them too. This is one of those titles.

I first met Mem Fox as a beginning teacher and parent so long ago. My daughter's summer reading explorations at the local library always included Possum Magic and Time for Bed. So without question... when I was able to spend an evening with Mem Fox and how I could use her books in my classroom... well you can guess that I was thrilled. Her stories are delightfully fun, the language is so well crafted that you know the experience will be engaging, and her characters are quite endearing.

After all these years, when I spied a stack of Reading Magic in my principals office I quickly asked, "Could I have one of those?" As a staff we agreed that through out our next school year we would be revisiting, improving, and discussing our reading methods... strategies... philosophies... favored titles... and classroom tips. Reading Magic was the first book agreed upon for our first book study.

Why was this book so eagerly valued? Everyone on our staff has read and shared one of Mem's creations. We trust her as an author. We stand in agreement with her about "instilling a life-long love of books" in each of our students. We can attest to the value and joy in reading-aloud. Unfortunately, with a heavy heart, we also recognize the frustration parents have with a child who is completely baffled... disengaged... and even terrorized as a beginning reader.

Reading Magic has so many facets of inspirational "tried and true" examples, that I must admit I am at a lost in how to share them in a review such as this. Too many for this blog space! Yet, I can tell you that this book will be like opening a treasure chest, you will discover in it the fullness of precious moments.

Each and every child deserves to have someone in their life that will take this book to heart and begin...

"their joy of reading."

Amazing support for raising today's readers!
Added to my shelf... shared... bought as gifts... great book discussion tool!

Incidentally, have you read this study that shows how people are able to read and comprehend a paragraph even when all the letters in each word are scrambled, so long as the first and last letters are in place?

More proof that we skim and guess quite a bit when we are reading.

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)