Read With Me

Parents and early childhood teachers know that reading aloud to children is important, but the specific things that adults do while reading with children that make reading a powerful way to improve children’s language, vocabulary, and early literacy skills can remain a mystery. Read with Me makes those behaviors clear and easy to implement for parents and teachers by outlining the ABCs of Active Reading (Ask Questions, Build Vocabulary, and Connect to the Child’s World). Active Reading is an approach to reading aloud with young children that is supported by decades of research. Read With Me provides parents and teachers with the knowledge and skills to engage young children (age 2 to 5) in Active Reading with examples, clear explanations, and ideas for making one-on-one or small group read aloud sessions a powerful way to build children’s early literacy and language skills, all while creating a lifelong love of reading.

One night, when Ethan reaches under his bed for a toy truck, he finds this note instead: "Monsters! Meet here for final test." Ethan is sure his parents are trying to trick him into staying under the covers, until he sees five colorful sets of eyes blinking at him from beneath the bed. Soon, a colorful parade of quirky, squeaky little monsters compete to become Ethan's monster. But only the little green monster, Gabe, has the perfect blend of stomach-rumbling and snorting needed to get Ethan into bed and keep him there so he falls asleep—which as everyone knows, is the real reason for monsters under beds. With its perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this silly-spooky prequel to the award-winning I Need My Monster and Hey, That's MY Monster! will keep young readers entertained.

Antonio wants someone to read his favorite book with him, but his mother and other adults in his neighborhood are all too busy except one, very unexpected new friend.

Join two young children as they begin an adventure through a world of books in this story-within-a-bedtime-story. This metered read-aloud pays homage to classic children's literature: readers of all ages will love searching for characters they recognize from fairy tales and beloved picture books amongst the pages. Spiders weave words and mythical dragons soar as the children travel through magical lands guided by the rhythm and rhyme of acclaimed author Margriet Ruurs. Little ones will want to cuddle closer and settle in for a delightful journey before heading off to sleep themselves.

This authoritative guide--with a core focus on reading readiness and helping position children to succeed in school--offers more than 300 age-appropriate and subject-specific book selections from librarians for reading time with children. From board and picture books to hot new books, these recommendations reflect family, community, play, and the environment. Mirroring a child's world as they grow and mature, chapters include segments on reading together, friendship, places near and far, and making believe. These titles have been culled from the American Library Association's "best" lists and professional review journals.

When I lay me down to sleep, I count cows instead of sheep. So begins the adventures of a sleepless youngster with cows on the brain! Designed to target vocabulary and reading fluency, Capering Cows is a romp through the barnyard that will keep young readers entertained and engaged. Through the fantastically fun illustrations of Alexandra Crouse, bare cows, scary cows, hairy cows, and friendly cows frolic with cows that slurp, cows that lick, and cows that pirouette and kick. Designed for echo and paired interactive reading strategies (which are explained on the "how to read with your child" page of the book), Capering Cows will entertain both children and adults while fostering the foundation skills necessary for strong literacy development.

Please Read To Me features the poem of the same name by Pam Leo, a family literacy activist. Seven Maine illustrators have contributed their work to the book. It is a board book for children.