Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Books to Read Aloud

The atmosphere has changed a lot in the Youth Services area now that children are back in school. All summer long, families streamed into the Library checking out stacks of books to read for pleasure. Now, the crowds come after school and the items going home are often fulfilling homework assignments. Gone are the leisurely days of summer.

Now that your children are back in school or at nursery school, I’m guessing there is a difference to your evening routines. Maybe an earlier bedtime? If you are spending more time reading aloud, let us make some recommendations of sequels to stories we’ve loved.

In 1999, Helen Lester wrote an engaging picture book, Hooway for Wodney Wat, about a young rat who is teased because he can’t pronounce his ‘r’s’. He pronounces his name Wodney Wat, instead of Rodney Rat. Then one day a new student barges into the classroom. Her name is Camilla Capybara. Now the bullies are bullied by Camilla! Poor Wodney. He imagines what Camilla will do to him once she hears him speak. Read the story to find out how Wodney Wat, an unassuming hero, saves the day.

In Wodney Wat's Wobot, Lester returns with another story about the beloved rat. It’s Wodney’s birthday and he gets one tewiffic pwesent – a wobot! Not just any wobot, but one that can talk! Wodney soon discovers that the wobot will wepeat whatever he tells it, even magically turning his lunchroom request of “wibs and wice” into “ribs and rice.” How Wodney uses his wobot to outsmart the boastfull Camilla Capybara makes for a joyous read aloud.

Author Tad Hills introduced the cute little dog Rocket in How Rocket Learned to Read. In that book, “A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read by first introducing him to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet." Rocket is back and now he wants to write a story!  Rocket Writes a Story follows Rocket as he collects new words from his word tree, searches for inspiration, writes – and rewrites—every day, until, best of all, when his story is finished, he shares it with his new friend. A charming read aloud. Perfect for all ages, especially those who have aspirations of becoming a writer.

We have many more titles you’re children will want to hear again, and again, and again. Stop in to the Library. The Youth Services staff will be happy to suggest some other, equally terrific books to read aloud.