Raising a Reader: A Mother's Tale of Desperation and Delight

Teaching a child to read, and getting that child to like reading, can be one of the most frustrating, and heartwarming, jobs for any parent. This book looks at one family's journey through such a process. One of a parent's biggest wishes for their child is that they find something about which they are passionate, something on which they can build a life. For the parent, there is a fine line between passion and obsession, a line that is easy to cross. It's hard to instill a love of books if the children don't have access to them. Regularly bring them to the local library, and let them take out a lot of books. If Child 2 doesn't progress in reading at the same rate as did Child 1, don't panic. Everyone progresses at their own speed. Another way to instill a love of books is to set aside a reading period during the day. While the child reads a book, the parent should sit and read an adult book. The child will probably enter a phase in which they are interested in what the parent considers the children's literature equivalent of trash. Again, don't panic; they'll grow out of it. Have faith in your child, especially if they are progressing too "slowly." Encouragement that the pieces will eventually fall into place is better than pushing. Realize that your children are individuals with different styles of reading. Also included is a long list of reading suggestions for children of all ages. This book is a gem. It's very down to earth, and any parent can identify with it. For those parents worried that their child isn't reading "fast enough," take a deep breath, then read this book. It's time very well spent.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! as a bona-fide bookaholic mom who wanted more than anything to pass on my great love of books to my own children, this book completely and totally hit home. besides being an utterly charming and enjoyable read, it also has many good parenting/reading tips as well as lists of choice books. i recommend it highly!

First it's talking, then walking, then potty training. Being a parent is all to often about comparing our kids and their accomplishements to other kids and theirs. When you're little ones start school things heat up even more as you compare their academic achievements and wonderdramatically if they are smart and if you can make them smarter. It's a vicous cycle -- and it can take all the fun out of learning to read, which arguably is one of life's greatest pleasures and rightfully should be a time of fun and exploration with your young child. Jennie Nash knows this. She is admittedly obsessed but candidly shares with us her journey from niggling, nagging, read-to-me Mom to locing, laughing, let's-snuggle-and-read-together Mom. It's a trip we all should take and she shows us how. She also offers lists, tips and tricks to reduce the stress and increase the peace during reading time, homework time and family time. This is a MUST read for anyone with kids under 10!

As a mother of a six- and eight-year-old who have both approached reading very differently, this book was exactly what I needed -- which was a big deep breath! As I began to question whether "I was doing it right" and when I began to compare my kids to others, I started to panic. It reminded me of the envy and pride I felt when my kids were (or were not) the first ones in their play groups to walk, talk, toilet train, fill in the blank. But with reading it's worse, because you feel like it's something you can and should control and "do better." So, Jennie Nash's book was a welcome pat on the back, arm around the shoulder and loving vote of confidence that I haven't (and I am not going to) screw this up. It's going to be fine and I have to remember to let the love of books, reading and the spoken word happen in its own sweet time. This lesson has helped me in other areas with my kids as well.