Macaroni Kid’s Book Review Column

Hi, my name is Jill Fitzpatrick and I will be the MK “Book Woman”, sharing reviews and suggestions for children’s and adult books. My goal is to help you find books you and your kids will LOVE!

One of my favorite ways to share books with children is to read aloud to them, and it’s something I try to encourage parents to do with their child, regardless of their age.  If you’re looking to learn more about the benefits of reading aloud, please check out Jim Trelease’s books, The Read-Aloud Handbook and Hey, Listen to This!, Stories for Parents and Children to Read Aloud.  Today I’d like to share some of my favorite “read-aloud” books for children aged 4-7.  Some are classics you may remember from your own childhood and some are newer books worth looking for.

The Cow Buzzed by Andrea Zimmerman and Paul Meisel – the best part of reading aloud is engaging your child with silly voices and sounds.  A bee with a cold visits a farm and some very mixed-up animal sounds result.  Encourage your child to make the mixed-up animals’ sounds, and see how many different ways you can say ah-choo!

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina – yes, this may be one you remember from your own childhood!  Before you sit down to read this one, gather a collection of hats to balance on your head—baseball caps work well.  Read it once “playing” the cap seller, with your child “playing” the monkeys.  Then switch!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day!  by Judith Viorst – every child (and plenty of adults!) can relate to Alexander and his very bad day.  The key to reading it aloud is to channel your own “bad day” and indulge in a good sulky, pouting voice.  My kids (age 9, 13 and 16) still quote this book to me on random occasions.  

Click, Clack Moo-Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin – kids love watching the farm animals getting the better of the farmer!  Another chance to practice your farm animal sounds.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems – this is the first in a series featuring the stubborn pigeon.  In a role-reversal your child will love (and you can go along with), let your child be the one who tells the pigeon NO!

If you have a favorite book to read-aloud, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section of the newsletter.  And since this is a new column, we’re relying on you to tell us what you like, what you don’t, what you want to see more of.

Next month, I’ll have some recommendations for our adult readers, and some tips for squeezing some guilt-free reading time into your busy days!