This one is for the grownups.  Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever is written by Mem Fox, a best-selling children’s book author and literacy expert. The book illustrates how reading aloud to your kids can prepare and even teach them to read, improve their speaking skills, expand their vocabulary and (my favorite) strengthen the bond between parent and child. Mem Fox comments, “The time spent reading together provides clear evidence to a child of a parent’s love, care, and focused attention. And it gives the parent a chance to close off the rest of the world, relax, and connect with the child wonderfully.”

Summer is around the corner. Make reading together part of your summer plans. Schedule trips to the library or bookstore and browse our recommended books in our online bookstore. You can even email us for ideas and we will help you find books your kids will love! Work reading time into your plane trips, car ventures, and everyday activities.  We will provide fun, weekly activities to keep your summer moving  and your kids reading. Make a commitment to connect again with your kids this summer through books!

The Book

Title: Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever

Author: Mem Fox

Recommended Age: Parents

Book Brief: We all hope and expect our children will learn to read, but how many of us realize we can get our kids on the road to reading simply by reading aloud to them every day? With passion and humor, Mem Fox explains why reading aloud to young children has such an impact on their ability to read — and on their entire lives.

Writing as an ordinary mother as well as a bestselling author and internationally respected literacy expert, Fox explores when and where to read aloud and emonstrates with clear, easy-to-follow examples how to to read aloud to best effect and how to get the most value and joy out of a read-aloud session.

Filled with practical advice, activities, and inspiring true read-aloud miracles, this book is a must for every parent — and for anyone who would like to know more about how children learn to read.

About the Author: Mem Fox was born n Melbourne, Australia in 1946. She grew up on a mission in Zimbabwe, went to drama school in London for three years in the mid-sixties, and returned to Australia in 1970, where she continued her studies and then taught drama and literacy for twenty-eight years. In 1996, she took early retirement from her position as Associate Professor of Literacy Studies at Flinders University in order to write and consult full time. She has been a literacy consultant in Australia, the United States, Taiwan, Guam, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania and is well known as the writer of several nonfiction books for adults and many bestselling picture books for children, including Time for Bed and Possum Magic. She and her family live in Adelaide, South Australia.

The Blast

Family Summer Reading Program

Location: At home and on the road this summer

Cost: Priceless

If your kids are in school, you have serious concerns about keeping them busy and engaged in learning this summer. If your kids are preschoolers, you’re looking for things to get them prepared for school in future years. And all families  are looking for ways to have fun together this summer. The very best solution: read together. Make it a commitment; you will love it! It will be a great summer, and we’re here to help.

• Not every kid loves to read, but there is a type of book your kid would love. Email us if you’re having trouble; we will help you find it.
• Read the book with your child, even if its a chapter book. They might not let you cuddle up with them and read before bed time. If they are too old and/or too cool, get your own copy so you can talk about it together.
• Reward reading with a Book|Blast and a day out together. This activity will mean a lot to both you and your child.
• Tell us the books you and your kids would like to read this summer. We will read them with you.

Extra tips for a good time!

• Have fun! Make it fun! And enjoy reading together!