Reading with Babies

Cool Mom Picks

Cool Mom Picks had this to say:
If you’ve ever stood slack-jawed in the children’s section of Borders, entirely overwhelmed by the selection, you’re not alone. Board book or hardcover? Pat the Bunny or Hop on Pop? It’s maddening. But a book on books–that’s the last book I would have thought I needed to insure my child’s taste for the written word.

Turns out I was wrong. Susan Straub and KJ Dell’Antonia have lovingly assembled the very comprehensive Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Twos: A Guide to Choosing, Reading and Loving Books Together.

Each chapter discusses a particular topic in enjoyable detail, like the best way to read aloud or how to balance reading with dvds and TV (don’t worry, the AAP isn’t watching).

But the best part of Reading with Babies are the dozens of lists. Oh, the lists! Starter books, interactive books, books about birthdays or feelings or imaginary friends or making art. Clearly the authors know their stuff. And after reading their book, you will too.

Besides it’s nice to get a few new ideas for books that my kid might actually want to look at. Not just chew on. -Christina

Successful Book Picks

“I wish I had this book when I was pregnant with Simon because it was then that I fully engrossed myself with all books regarding the “how to” of babies. Trust me. I ate all that baby stuff up… and then some. Mine is a classic case of, “I wish I would have known then what I know now”. Go ahead and ask me how many books that I have bought my kids that just SIT on their bookshelf. Go ahead. I dare you. I would guess that about 65% of the books we have for our kids go relatively un-touched. Nice.
After I went through this book I was so inspired that I took my family to the neighborhood Barnes & Noble. I am happy to report that instead of looking at the kid’s book section for hours I was able to pick out two books within fifteen minutes and left feeling very confident that these books would win two thumbs up from my mini-critics.
I was right.
“Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear” is Simon’s new favorite. He already recites the whole book.
“That’s Not My Car” is Helene’s new favorite. Not only can she recite the main verse of the book, she has picked up some new adjectives”
Dairy of the Nello

Girls Gone Child goes Reading Wild

One of KJ’s fave bloggers (and a future author herself) has joined the blog tour for Reading with Babies.
Check out what Girls Gone Child has to say:

“I’m not a big how-to-guide book reader. I do not read parenting books and have not since I was pregnant and curious. I’m not as curious now that I have a child and find parenting books redundant and boring. I am also quite stubborn, often impossible to reason with, convince or even teach. Let’s just say I am not the kind of person who would pick up any kind of book that might “help me.”

Reading with Babies, Toddlers and Twos is not that kind of book. … It’s enlightened, nurturing and full of great ideas and I would recommend the book to all story-reading parents.”

Radio Bits Ahead

Susan & KJ were on the radio. Thanks to all these wonderful DJs.

June 12, 8:20 AM MT(10:20 EDT) Utah’s AM820, Salt Lake City, UT.
June 19, 6:30-7 PM EDT WNYE-91.5FM Everything Goes, NY, NY
June 27, 11:06 AM EDT WBEV-AM Idea Exchange, Jim Stowell, Beaver Dam, WI
June 28, 8:10 AM EDT 95.9 WATD-FM, Rob Hakala. Marshfield, MA
June 28, 11 AM EDT Sacramento AM 1320, Michelle Shockley, Sacramento, CA
June 29, 9:40 AM EDT, KZIM 960, Faune Riggin,Cape Girardeau, MO
June 29, 11:45 EST/ 10:45 CST, WWIB-FM, Mark Halvorsen, Chippewa Falls, WI

The Blogging Continues

“But the best parts for me were the 85 lists of books for different age ranges, different subjects, different purposes, different moods, each accompanied by a nutshell review. What a relief. Frances is now too old for many of them, but there’s enough that I was inspired to put together her first-ever amazon wish-list of those titles that tweaked my interest, especially from the lists of fairy-tales, poetry, friendship, cooking and gardening. Now I will never again stand in the Indigo kids’ section biting my lips wondering, are any of these any good? Is she too old for this now? Is this too advanced for her? And in fact, after finishing it, I went to the bookstore and bought $100 of preschooler books.” Beanie Baby

“If you’re looking for a great gift for a mom-to-be or a gift for that special toddler in your life — a gift that will not end up in the back of the closet or in a million little pieces strewn throughout the already-much-too-cluttered toybox, then you should really consider getting this book!” Read more (and check out one very cool blogging mom) at Manic Mommy a>.

Daughter of Author Lets Her Read!

Full disclosure from KJ: My 23-month old daughter hasn’t really let anyone read to her for months. She brings books, yes–but after a page she’s off for another book. She’d rather “read” to herself–and she does, she sits and talks and turns the pages–but like everything else, she just doesn’t want anyone to do it for her.

But tonight she let me read. Visit Raising Devils for the whole story, and look to the left to see what we read.

This reading business isn’t always easy for anyone!

Let the Blogging Begin

Take a look at what these blogging moms have to say about the book, and read on for what they have to say about everything from poop to pap smears (that’s what blogs are for, after all).

“Reading With Babies, Toddlers, and Twos would make a nice gift to place in a gift basket for a new mom.” — Mrs. Mogul

“Okay, this seems like a no-brainer, right? You get a bunch of board books and start reading to your babies. Goodnight Moon x infinity. Then they get older and you move on to Karen Katz and Eric Carle books. That’s all good, but Straub & Dell’Antonia suggest myriad ways to help kids get more enjoyment out of reading. I was an elementary teacher so I thought I already knew a lot about reading strategies and techniques, but there is (always) so much more to learn on the subject. The authors present it all in a very easy-to-absorb way.” –CityMama

“I read a super book the other day. You MUST get it if you’re struggling with how best to approach literacy in young children…”– Christine Hohlbaum, DiaryofaMother

BOOK LAUNCH IN NEW YORK CITY

Saturday. May 20th.
2-3pm.
Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble,
Broadway and W.66th Street.

Our launch party was a delightful celebration.
Friends and families brought their kids and babies to
enjoy snacks and book readalouds.

Thanks to Jennifer Stark, B&N Community Relations
Manager, for the invitation, and to her daughter
Samantha for helping with the balloons and
snacks.

The seond celebration was June 3rd at the Dartmouth
Book Store in Hanover, NH. We managed to divide the
lively families into two groups: KJ (and her kids) read
picture books to the older children; Susan (and her 26
year old daughter Emma) read and talked with the babies
and their parents. Thanks go to Brenda Leahy! One hopes
the butterfly project glitter is not still on the floor since
the butterflies have flown to fridge doors all over Hanover.

If you want us to do an event at your local bookstore,
just ask!

Susan and KJ