Students often indicate that one of their favorite times of the school day is when their teacher reads aloud. This special time allows them to become part of a community of readers caught in the spell of good stories, information, and poetry. Reading aloud can also be as beneficial as it is fun. Reading aloud enables teachers to introduce students to a variety of genres. Students’ reading and listening vocabularies expand as they hear new words in meaningful contexts. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) remind parents and teachers of two things about reading aloud to students. First, children’s listening comprehension is stronger than their reading comprehension until the middle grades so parents and teachers can read challenging books to develop children’s knowledge. Second, books read aloud to children in the upper grades can extend and enrich what students are able to read on their own. This week the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group focuses on some of our favorite new books for reading aloud. Happy reading!

GRADES K-3

Dempsey, Kristy. (2012). Surfer Chick. Illus. by Henry Cole. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.
Sometimes it’s hard to live up to the accomplishments of a parent. Although Chick is thrilled to be taken under the wings of her well-known surfer father, riding the waves is harder than she thought, and more than once, the plucky fowl ends up wiped out, struggling to stay on her pink board. Through her father's tender guidance and her own perseverance, she goes from a miserable heap of wet feathers on the beach to eventually surfing skillfully with a twist of her own. Clearly, this is a daughter much like her father, certainly deserving of the title Surfer Chick. This charming picture book written in rhyming text features clever word play with fun-to-say phrases such as "foul-tempered" (unpaginated) and "ruffled her feathers" (unpaginated). The surfer lingo such as "bummer" (unpaginated), "colossal wipeout" (unpaginated), and "gnarly new legend" heighten the book's appeal and make it a sure pick for a read aloud. The acrylic paint and colored pencil illustrations paint sentimental images of the joys of surfing and of the ocean’s allure. Not only does this title lovingly depict the relationship between a father and his daughter, but it also serves as a gentle reminder that not everything worth doing comes easily.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Henry, Jed. (2012). I speak dinosaur! New York: Abrams.
During imaginary play children like to speak dinosaur. Dinosaurs don’t ask, “May I please play with you?” (unpaginated). Instead the little boy with a red dinosaur hat shouts to his friends in dinosaur, “Gribber, grabber, blobber, slobber!” (unpaginated). All of his friends immediately disappear. Dinosaurs never say thank you or I’m sorry either. And sometimes dinosaurs speak to their moms, “Roar!” When this happens though, dinosaurs need to leave the house. The little boy moves to his back yard swing set and is suddenly lonely. Large dinosaur shadows loom overhead and ask him, “Hi, may we please play with you?” (unpaginated). Little boy is shocked to hear, “May I?” and “Please.” His young friends have returned with their own dinosaur hats, but are using their manners. This is a perfect picture book to remind children about using manners. Teachers could also use this book at an imaginary play center with some dinosaur hats. Another extension would be to show how the author and illustrator, Jed Henry, used capital letters or large font type when the dinosaurs were shouting or yelling. Children could try this idea in their own writing or book making. 
- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Jurmain, Suzanne. (2011). The Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the true story of an American Feud. Illus. by Larry Day. New York: Dutton.
From the author/illustrator pair that brought readers George Did It, this new book brings to light the friendship and disagreements of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. At that time in American history the President and Vice President could represent different political parties, which was the case with Adams and Jefferson. Coming from very different political philosophies, “…as different as pickles and ice cream,” this governmental pair argued over most issues in the early years of our country. Adams became the second President of the United States serving after George Washington and Jefferson defeated Adams to become the third President. Because of their numerous arguments, the two men did not speak for over ten years after their terms ended. As the country continued to thrive under other presidents, Jefferson and Adams rekindled their friendship through letter writing as they felt the need to discuss the developing nation. Caricature illustrations provide a humorous look at the antics of these two great men as they waged their battles in shaping the United States. Personal anecdotes from the author about two of the nation’s forefathers give readers the chance to see their human qualities in addition to watching how a friendship can develop after troubled first encounters. 
- Karen Hildebrand Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Pallotta, Jerry. (2012). A giraffe did one. Illus. by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press. 
This fun read aloud begins with, “An ant did one, but no one could hear it” (unpaginated). A worm, a mouse, a squirrel and a skunk also did one, but readers aren’t  exactly sure what they have done. This is a perfect book to help teach the thinking strategy prediction. While reading a teacher could ask students, “what do you think the animals are doing?” On one page, “A turtle did one. It made a little bubble” (unpaginated), children could turn to a partner and share what they think the turtle did. On another page, “A monkey did one, and started laughing, but why?” The teacher could stop reading and write down on chart paper all of the students’ predictions. Later, readers will learn that a flower and a tree “can’t do one” which helps refine predictions. The funniest page is, “When the elephant does it, watch out! It sounds like an EARTHQUAKE! (unpaginated). The book closes with an illustration of a mom and a sheepish little boy surrounded by all of the different animals that were in the book at a tea party. The little boy did one too! 
- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Rosen, Michael. (2010). Tiny little fly. Illus. by Kevin Waldron. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
In this delightful read aloud title, a diminutive fly flits teasingly by three mighty beasts--an elephant, a hippo, and a tiger--without coming to any harm. One by one, each of the massive creatures decides to put an end to that fly’s peskiness. Despite their best efforts and amid all sorts of delightful language ["TRAMP! CRUSH! TRAMP!" (unpaginated), "ROLL! SQUASH! ROLL!" (unpaginated), and "SWOOP! SNATCH! SWOOP!" (unpaginated)]--and possible mayhem, the fly simply keeps on buzzing, slightly, but annoyingly, out of reach. Young readers will enjoy hearing this story multiple times, and readers won't mind reading it again because of how much fun it is to say the words and enjoy the pencil, gouache and digitally enhanced illustrations that fill its pages. The two-page spread that shows the elephant's eye peering at that fly is especially appealing since the size of the fly makes it unlikely that it could survive an encounter with a pachyderm. But then again, size doesn’t always matter, especially when you’re a savvy fly.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rosenstock, Barbara. (2012). The camping trip that changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and our National Parks. Ill. by Mordicai Gerstein. New York: Dial.
During the month of February, we celebrate Presidents so this unique story adds to the collection of little-known stories about one of America’s Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and how he came to create the national park system that we preserve and enjoy today. Roosevelt read a book written by naturalist and out-door lover John Muir where Muir was asking the government to preserve America’s beautiful forests and wilderness areas. On May 15, 1903, Teddy Roosevelt arrived in California, slipped away from the presidential entourage, and camped out for three days with Muir in Yosemite to discover the giant redwoods, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and other splendors of this wilderness area. When the President returned from his camping trip and outdoor adventure with Muir, the national park and monument system was created. Gerstein’s watercolor illustrations bring the beauty of America’s wilderness areas to young readers and make visible the rationale to save these wonderlands. 
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Sierra, Judy. (2012). Suppose you meet a dinosaur: A first book of manners. Illus. by Tim Bowers. New York: Knopf.
Judy Sierra takes children on a rhyming romp where a well-mannered little girl meets an equally well-mannered dinosaur in the store. Both know all of the right words to say.  For instance, “Imagine that the dinosaur is standing by the bathroom door. / You have to pee! She is in your way. / Quick! What is the proper thing to say?” You say, “Excuse me” (upaginated).  Kids will not only delight in the fun rhymes and Tim Bowers’ delightful acrylic illustrations, but also the very notion of a large green dinosaur wearing stylish pink glasses with rhinestones shopping in the store. This book is an ideal choice for reading aloud when children need a gentle reminder that good manners need to be used. 
- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University

GRADES 3-4

McCarthy, Meghan. (2012). The incredible life of Balto. New York: Knopf.
Balto was an inexperienced sled dog when Gunnar Kaasen chose him in 1925 to lead one of the last legs of a race—a 600 mile race to get life-saving serum to Nome, Alaska to save the people from a Diptheria Outbreak. “Balto delivered the medicine to Nome in record time!” (unpaginated), becoming an instant hero Balto. A statue in his likeness and honor was erected in New York City’s Central Park. A dog food was named after him. He even starred as himself in a movie called Balto’s Race to Nome. Yet, fame does not last forever. Eventually Balto and his companions became part of a vaudeville act and finally a sideshow. Cleveland businessman, George Kimball, could not believe how the once-famous Balto was now featured in sideshow.  Kimball resolved to buy Balto and his companions, but the exorbitant price of $2,000 was more than he had. The people of Cleveland raised the money in two-weeks so the Balto and his teammates could be purchased and donated to the Cleveland Zoo.  This read aloud has great appeal for animal lovers and anyone with a sense of adventure.  
- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University

Sheinmel, Courtney. (2012). Stella Batts needs a new name. Illus. by Jennifer Bell. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.
Even someone’s name can be the source of unwanted teasing, and when a classmate starts calling Stella Batts an unflattering rhyming name, she decides to solve the problem by changing her name. Instead of Stella, the California third grader wants to be called after a candy since the family owns a confectionery store with yummy treats identified with their two daughters. Stella’s friends all love the idea, and they decide to adopt candy names for themselves as well. Lucy becomes Truffle, Talisa becomes Kit Kat, and Willa becomes Caramel. Stella is stuck with Scheherazade because she can't think of a good candy name, but her friends comfort her by reminding her that the long moniker can be shortened to Sherry. Naturally, mayhem ensues as the students' teacher continues to address her students by their given names, and even Stella gets everyone's name mixed up. Since she plans to be a writer when she grows up, she chronicles all the difficulties she's facing, many of which can be traced back to the problem with her name. The first in a planned series that is sure to be popular with fans of Clementine, the book contains useful messages about learning to get along with others that go down as smoothly as the delicious sweets the family sells. This read aloud will have listeners laughing at the antics of Stella and her classmates.
- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Tavares, Matt. (2012). There goes Ted Williams: The greatest hitter who ever lived. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Ted Williams had the goal to be “the greatest hitter who ever lived,” and he worked on that goal every day of his young life. He practiced his swing longer and harder than his friends. He ate lots of food to gain weight. He did fingertip pushups. Then he practiced his swing again and again. “He is always swinging something—a bat, or a stick, or a pillow, or a rolled-up newspaper” (Unpaginated) He is offered his professional contract as a junior in high school at age 17! His batting heroics make him a star, but everything changes when he enlists in the Navy during World War II. Three years later, he is back on field and hits a home run on his first time at bat. His legendary career and legendary home runs continue until America is at war again and Williams is needed as a pilot in Korea. As he leaves for Korea, he wonders if his baseball career is over…. Students will enjoy the satisfying ending. The story of Ted Williams is the true story of a kid who had a dream and dedicated his life to making his dream come true.
- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University

GRADES 5-8

Bauer, Joan. (2011) Close to famous. New York: Viking. 
Winner of the recent Schneider Family Book Award, this title by Joan Bauer brings together a unique cast of characters that teachers will have fun portraying while reading it aloud. Fleeing Memphis in the middle of the night, Foster McFee and her mother are escaping the relationship of her mother’s abusive boyfriend, an Elvis impersonator. Since her father was killed in battle in Iraq, Foster and her mother have no real place to go but somehow end up in Culpepper, West Virginia in a rented Airstream trailer. Foster gets acquainted with the people in this tiny community through baking her delicious cupcakes and muffins. Although she always had difficulty reading, her love of baking and goal of being the first kid chef on the Food Network keep her driven and determined. As that culinary talent draws even more people to her, including a has-been movie star hiding out in Culpepper, her new friend Macon who dreams of being a filmmaker, Angry Wayne, owner of the local bar and grill (but who sells Foster’s cupcakes), and Perseverance Wilson all band together to help Foster.  Bauer tackles many issues within the storyline such as homelessness, race, domestic violence, learning disabilities and social justice. Visit Joan Bauer’s website http://www.joanbauer.com/close_to_famous.html for an interview about the book as well as cupcake recipes.
- Karen Hildebrand Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Angleberger, Tom. (2011) Horton Halfpott, or, the fiendish mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, the loosening of M’Lady Luggertuck’s corset. New York: Amulet Books. 
Though author Tom Anglebarger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda) says this tale was inspired by Charles Dickens, readers/listeners might be laughing too much to think of this as Dickensian. The story opens one morning at Smugwick Manor when M’Lady Luggertuck loosens her corset to allow her circulation to start flowing, and giving her the idea to host a ball for her single and lovelorn nephew. As the days of preparation begin, the family heirloom, the Luggertuck Lump is stolen and Horton, the lowly kitchen boy is accused of the theft. A bumbling detective is hired to solve the case and Horton, falsely accused, is arrested and sent to jail. While in jail, Horton overhears who it is that actually stole the lump (a diamond!), quickly escapes and is on the path to find the real thief. The hilarious bumblings of these zany characters trying to solve the mystery within the castle prove to be an entertaining farcical story. Teachers might like to start this read aloud by sharing the two-minute video the author created for the website companion to this book found at http://hortonhalfpott.wordpress.com/.
- Karen Hildebrand Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

The Barbados Association of Reading (BAR) held their 5th Annual Conference in Christ Church, Barbados on December 2, 2011.

The conference was held at the Accra Beach Hotel in Christ Church and was declared open on December 1, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. by the Minister of Education of Barbados, Hon. Ronald Jones. The theme of the Conference was Differentiating Literacy and Numeracy Instruction for Diverse Learners, and it was comprised of various sessions including Differentiating Instruction presented by Dr. Sandra Robinson and Early Literacy Development presented by Ms. Darnell Wynn, president of the Bermuda Reading Association. Other topics included Strategies for Overcoming Challenges in Mathematics presented by Mr. Stuart Russell, and Using Graphic Organizers to Support Literacy presented by Dr. Ann Fergusson, the Committee for International Development in the Caribbean (CIDCAR) chair, on behalf of IRA board member Dr. Karen Bromley. There were a total of 153 conference attendees, several sponsors from Barbados, and a few representatives from IRA including Dr. Brenda Overturf, an IRA board member.

At the CIDCAR business meeting on December 1, members each reported on the various activities carried out by each of their associations over the course of 2011. They also discussed various issues—including membership recruitment, membership retention, and conflict resolution—and shared their goals for 2012.

CIDCAR was pleased to welcome a new member, Mr. Felix Henderson, a popular DBS radio personality on the Island of Dominica, who in collaboration with the Ministry of Education hosted a successful National Reading Competition to inspire children to “Read Today, For Tomorrow.” CIDCAR hopes to establish a new IRA national affiliate in Dominica this year. 

On Saturday December 3, the IRA staff, in conjunction with the Chair for CIDCAR, organized a full day lea

The main focus of the leadership workshop was to facilitate and encourage collaboration between the councils and affiliates in the Caribbean and to encourage the leaders to work on literacy leadership and capacity building activities for their organizations. The leadership workshop also included modules on membership development, a guide to IRA’s online resources and a presentation on Leadership and Succession by Dr. Overturf.dership workshop. In attendance were representatives from Barbados, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the CIDCAR Chair Dr. Ann Fergusson from Barbados, IRA Board Member Dr. Brenda Overturf, and two IRA Global Operations staff members: Amy Kushner and Elizabeth Ndungu. 

The workshop featured an interactive session on work plan development goal setting, with a focus on creating strategic goals. Affiliate leaders shared ideas and discussed ways to develop their affiliates and the Caribbean region as a whole. The CIDCAR members were also urged to take advantage of and to publicize the various online tools and resources available to IRA members.

Photo captions: 

During the Leadership Workshop, Allison Lewis (representative from Trinidad and Tobago) and Beverly Harris of Jamaica (incoming CIDCAR chair) present their goals.

Committee for International Development in the Caribbean (CIDCAR) members, IRA board member Dr. Brenda Overturf, and IRA staff Amy Kushner and Elizabeth Ndungu.

Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and the cast of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax will co-chair the 15th annual National Education Association (NEA)’s Read Across America Day—the nationwide program that helps children discover the joy of reading—with 45 million participants on Friday, March 2. 

This year the book The Lorax by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, will take center stage with its message of the importance of preserving the environment. Global superstars Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Danny DeVito, and Ed Helms lend their vocal talents to Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment and are all co-chairs of this year’s Read Across America, a first for the NEA program. Zac Efron will also serve as a celebrity guest reader at a national reading event at the New York Public Library on NEA’s Read Across America Day, March 2. The actors also recorded Read Across America PSAs encouraging people to pick up a book and read to a child.

“Every year on NEA’s Read Across America Day, the imaginations of children across the country are ignited when they open up a good book,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “The Lorax is not only entertaining to read, but it also highlights the importance of protecting our air, land and water. Our students deserve to grow and learn in a safe, healthy environment.”

The book The Lorax was first published in 1971 and foretold the desolation and emptiness created when nature is consumed without regard for its preservation or restoration. Many say the book was ahead of its time. Readings of The Lorax book and its environmental messages will be prominent in this year’s Read Across America celebrations happening in schools and libraries around the nation. The event coincides with the March 2 release of Dr. Suess’ The Lorax, a CG-3D film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. 

NEA will also rev up its engines for the first ever “NEA’s Lorax Reading Tour – Driven by Mazda”—a cross-country tour to visit public schools, Mazda dealerships, and other stops to bring the gift of reading to thousands of public school students. The tour will visit more than 15 cities across the country and will also highlight some student-led school and community based environmental projects. For each test drive of a Mazda vehicle between February 20 through April 2, 2012,  Mazda will donate $25, up to $1 million in total, to benefit public school libraries in need across the United States.

NEA’s Read Across America is co-sponsored by Dr. Seuss Enterprises (“Cat in the Hat” is the Read Across America Day mascot) and 50 national partners, including the American Library Association, PTA, NFL Players Association, RIF, Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Random House Children’s Books, Reading Rockets, United Through Reading, Heart of America Foundation, First Books, and Youth Service America. Every March 2, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, NEA members nationwide host school and community events designed to pay homage to the beloved children’s book author and to get the nation’s young people excited about reading.

Since 1997, NEA’s Read Across America has attracted some of the biggest names in politics, entertainment and sports to help children discover the joy of reading. In addition to First Lady Michelle Obama, past celebrity participants have included Jessica Alba, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, Mehcad Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alex Rodriguez, Serena Williams, Selena Gomez, Shaquille O’Neal, and many others.

For more information, visit www.nea.org/readacross. 

Throughout my 28 years as an educator, I have worked with students in rural, urban, and suburban environments from preschool to college level. Regardless of the instructional setting or age group, one of the most challenging aspects of teaching has been supporting the learning of students with special needs. Students with learning challenges often arrive at the classroom door with needs that require educators to think carefully about the ways they plan instruction. Teachers must ensure all students have access to rich, engaging content as well as appropriate means for demonstrating their learning. With such great variability among learners, how can the classroom teacher keep up-to-date with the best ways to support student learning?

The Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) Assistive Technology Blog has just the answer! This blog, which has been active since 2006, offers a plethora of assistive technology information for educators at every level! Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2))” (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011). Although designed with students with disabilities in mind, some assistive technology tools can also support the learning of students in the regular education program.

Every weekday, T/TAC staff members post information on the latest tools, methods and technologies available for supporting student learning through assistive technology. The site’s consistent, organized design makes information easy to find. Tool bars allow the reader to search for specific keywords, view material by date posted, or look for entries related to broad categories like AT for Reading. Queries submitted in the search bar produce multiple entries on virtually every keyword one uses. The blog offers an RSS feed to keep readers informed of new entries that can be customized to focus on specific topics of interest. For example, selecting an RSS feed for the term “word study” will allow the reader to receive updated information on that topic whenever it is posted. Additionally, T/TAC encourages readers to email specific questions to the site so answers can be posted for the entire community’s benefit. 

Encouraging students of all learning abilities, particularly those with special needs, to engage in instruction can be challenging for any teacher. By visiting the Assistive Technology Blog, educators are guaranteed to find many creative solutions to meeting student’s needs while increasing their own knowledge of the latest assistive technology tools. Using the insight gained from this blog, teachers may be better able to utilize instructional methods and tools that benefit all learners.

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (July, 2011). What is assistive technology? Retrieved from: http://standards.gov/assistivetechnology.cfm

Joan Rhodes is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Reading Program group at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

The Pearson Foundation recently announced “Read for My School,” a special We Give Books program that launched on February 14 and continues through March 14. Through this campaign, We Give Books is donating 150,000 new children’s books to public elementary schools across the country. 

We Give Books asks school groups to register as “readers” by visiting their website at www.wegivebooks.org. The readers then choose a book to read and a school’s “campaign” to support. Readers click on "Give a Book" at the end of the story to be counted toward their school’s reading total.

For every book read on behalf of a school, that school will receive one new book. After a school has earned 500 books, readers can assist other schools in meeting their goal. Books can be given to any public elementary school in the United States and its territories.

We Give Books is a digital initiative that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online. For each book members read in the We Give Books online library, they donate a book to a literacy organization or school that you choose. There are over 150 books in their growing online library. 

For more information, visit the We Give Books website.