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

Mem Fox is a great advocate of reading to your child. It is possibly the most simple, most profound and best advice you can give any new parent. If parents are a little unsure how to go about helping their children read, this could be a good book to start with. I would also highly recommend "Babies Need Books" by Dorothy Butler - now sadly out of print, but you can get a copy second hand.

I was given this book by a bibliophile family member, who is also a librarian and a mother of five. With it she imparted the message that, as a new mother, if I had time only to read one book related to raising children, to make it this one. I enjoyed it so much I bought several more copies and gave them to those I loved when it was their turn to have children and I wanted to share the great advice.There are lots of three year old children reading in the manner described by Mem Fox in her book. I have read Where is the Green Sheep to numerous preschoolers and had them 'read' it straight back to me. The only correlation between these children was that they had grown up with books being read to them from a very early age (as prescribed in 'Reading Magic'). The confidence this 'reading' gives to children is the starting block of their literacy education. If they believe they can do it, they can!

First I will give my own background so that my opinion is a bit justified. I was a reading specialist in San Diego City Schools for 7 years. Later, I became a teacher-credentialing professor at a local university, where I still work today.Wow, I am six pages into Mem's book and already this woman (Mem Fox) has just taken full credit for teaching a three-year-old child how to read in 15 minutes. Wow, wow, wow!! My mind is still blown at the arrogance and perhaps narcissism. First, a three-year-old reading?? There aren't many out there, though it is certainly possible. Next, in 15 minutes?!? Who is this woman kidding?!? Need I say more?Frankly, I am very disappointed and wonder if I should keep reading this book...