I haven’t said this enough, but …

You’re busy.

And it takes time and thought to write someone you don’t know.

But, whoa. I so appreciate it. 

(FYI: I read and reply to them all.)
 

Your top-3 read-aloud challenges

Here are the most-common ones we heard, plus some perhaps-useful thoughts. (We’ll have lots more to share in the future, and would LOVE to know what works for you.)

1. It’s hard to find time.

Thought: Start small (15 minutes a day works wonders) and read when you can. Bedtime is awesome, but breakfast works, too. 

2. Kids get distracted.

Thought: It’s okay to let the wee ones crawl around and the bigger ones fidget with something or draw what they “see” as they listen. Kids often hear the story, even when it doesn’t seem like it.

3. What should we read next? 

Thoughts:

• Check out these tips from the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance.
• Ask someone in the Read-Aloud Rec Room Facebook group.
• Start with one of our stories (the PDF versions are all free). 

If you want to dive deeper, the websites of Jim Trelease, Mem Fox, Meghan Cox Gurdon, and Steven Layne are great places to start.
 

Quentin’s taking a trip

Stay tuned for updates from the road. Till then …

Happy reading,

Jeff, Bob, and Zoe …
… who believe that reading with kids can change the world for the better

Our current story is “Jack Jenk Shouts Love”

Jack Jenk is an outsized 5th-grade boy destined for a football future until a homework assignment sends his life cartwheeling off in an unexpected and uncomfortable new direction. 

• Read part 1: A Different Kind of Smart
• Read part 2: The News was a Bummer
• Read part 3: “Can I Change My Answer?”
• Read part 4: Mark Farkle Says They’re Criminals

Let me know if you’d like a PDF copy of the entire story.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.