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

Handouts will be available in Exhibit Hall A in the GWCC and at -- www.naeyc.org www.nieer.org 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

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?

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

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

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

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

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

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

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

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

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

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

Amazing Grace Mary Hoffman Caroline Binch

Amazing Grace Mary Hoffman Caroline Binch

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

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

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

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

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

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

Going Home by Eve Bunting Illustrated by David Diaz

Going Home by Eve Bunting Illustrated by David Diaz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cartoon from the New Yorker Magazine by Shanahan

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

Good Night Moon Margaret Wise Brown Pictures by Clement Hurd

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.

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

Raising Sweetness Diane Stanley G. Brian Karas

Handouts will be available in Exhibit Hall A in the GWCC and at -- www.naeyc.org www.nieer.org 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