How to Read a Story
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sweet, engaging steps for budding readers.
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What's the Story?
In HOW TO READ A STORY, a young boy begins with Step 1: Find a story. Then he selects a snuggly reading buddy (his dog) and a cozy reading spot. Step by step, he guides readers through the joys of reading a book: contemplating the cover and guessing what it might be about, giving the characters life with different voices, working through unfamiliar words, and finally getting to the end ... at which point you can, if you like, go back to the beginning and start again.
Is It Any Good?
A how-to book on reading a book might seem odd. But families will quickly realize that it’s actually a terrific approach to helping children develop a lifelong love of reading. Author Kate Messner offers easy-to-follow advice, such as, "When you get to the exciting parts, make your voice sound exciting, too," and sample excerpts kids can use for practice. She builds suspense, just as if you were reading an adventure story: "When you and your buddy can’t stand it a second longer," she says, “turn the page to read how things work out."
Bright ink-and-watercolor illustrations by Mark Siegel (Boogie Knights) combine an old-fashioned appeal with a modern vibrancy. This is both a helpful playbook and an inspiring pep talk for young readers just getting started -- and grown-up readers, as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes a story fun to read. What are you favorite types of stories?
Practice reading to each other. Family members can take turns reading the same story and compare how they interpret the characters' voices. You could even try play-acting a favorite.
Extend the book by talking about creating a mental picture of what's happening in a story. Choose a book with fewer pictures and pause to talk about what you're picturing in your mind.
Book Details
- Author: Kate Messner
- Illustrator: Mark Siegel
- Genre: For Beginning Readers
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters, Great Boy Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: May 5, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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