1. National Association for the Education of Young Children
What Makes a Good Book!
National Association for the
Education of Young Children
Annual Conference, 2006
Dorothy S. Strickland

2. Handouts will be available in Exhibit Hall A in the GWCC and at --
Preschool Policy Brief
by Dorothy S. Strickland & Shannon Riley-Ayers
“Early Literacy: Policy & Practice in the Preschool Years”
&
and an excerpt from their forthcoming book
“Literacy Leaders in Preschool Settings”
A Quick Guide for Directors, Principals, Supervisors, and Teacher Leaders
Published by NAEYC and Teachers College Press

3. Reading Aloud to Children BUT, WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK?
-- at home and at school --
has a special role
in young children’s literacy development.
BUT, WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK?

4. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#1
It has universal appeal!

5. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

6. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

7. Reflection --
Sharing books with children is strong motivation for learning to read. Show your enthusiasm and interest as you read aloud.
Listening to fluent reading provides the foundation for fluency

8. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#2
It has interesting language!
the language flows;
it has rhythm;
you can play with it

9. Honey, I Love Eloise Greenfield pictures by Diane and Leo Dillon

10. Reflection --
Language play fosters a sensitivity to the sound system, the foundation for phonemic awareness and phonics.
Provides a sense of words and sentences

11. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#3
It educates as it entertains!

12. Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

13. Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

14. Reflection --
Informational books of all kinds provide background knowledge about the world, which is essential for vocabulary development and reading comprehension.

15. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#4
It evokes discussion!

16. Amazing Grace Mary Hoffman Caroline Binch

17. Amazing Grace Mary Hoffman Caroline Binch

18. listening and speaking
Reflection --
Encourage children to –
Reflect on what was read;
Compare books on the same topic;
and by the same author;
Help make connections to their lives
listening and speaking

19. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#5
It provides a sense of history
and connection to the past!

20. The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin James Cross Giblin Illustrations by Michael Dooling

21. The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin James Cross Giblin Illustrations by Michael Dooling

22. Reflection -- Extend book experiences through interactive writing.
Talk about what was read
Save the good ideas by writing them down as children dictate them
Read and reread together

23. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#6
It introduces children
to other cultures!

24. Going Home by Eve Bunting Illustrated by David Diaz

25. Going Home by Eve Bunting Illustrated by David Diaz

26. Vocabulary & Comprehension
Reflection --
Sharing books about people from other cultures helps broaden children’s background knowledge and understanding of the diverse world in which we live. Help children understand that the way we live may seem strange to others.
Vocabulary & Comprehension

27. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#7
It introduces children
to varied forms of literature!

28. Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B
Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B. Williams & Jennifer Williams

29. Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea. by Vera B
Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea by Vera B. Williams & Jennifer Williams

30. reading comprehension
Reflection --
Knowing something about the structure of stories and informational books supports both –
reading comprehension
and writing.

31. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#8
It’s a classic piece of literature!

32. The Illustrated Book of Fairy Tales Retold by Neil Philip Illustrated by Nilesh Mistry

33. reading comprehension
Reflection --
Classic literature is referred to in jokes, newspaper articles, and modern stories – a key part of background knowledge for –
reading comprehension

34. Cartoon from the New Yorker Magazine by Shanahan

35. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten#9
It’s worth reading
over and over
again!

36. Good Night Moon Margaret Wise Brown Pictures by Clement Hurd

37. concepts about books & print.
Reflection --
There is value in repeated listening to the same stories and poems. Children memorize portions and gain a sense of comfort and control over knowing what comes next.
Shared reading of big books and charts offers children an opportunity to participate in the reading. Builds -
concepts about books & print.

38. What Makes a Good Book? Dorothy’s top ten
#10
It makes you laugh!!

39. Raising Sweetness Diane Stanley G. Brian Karas

40. Handouts will be available in Exhibit Hall A in the GWCC and at --
Preschool Policy Brief
by Dorothy S. Strickland & Shannon Riley-Ayers
“Early Literacy: Policy & Practice in the Preschool Years”
&
and an excerpt from their forthcoming book
“Literacy Leaders in Preschool Settings”
A Quick Guide for Directors, Principals, Supervisors, and Teacher Leaders
Published by NAEYC and Teachers College Press