Teaching Kids to Read for Dummies

This is a very good book. I am a teacher and a parent and of the many books I have read about teaching children to read this is the one I recommend most to parents. The author includes all the important things to teach a beginning reader and presents it in a way that is easy for any parent to read. She also emphasises that reading should be fun which is especially important in these early years. A good buy.

This is a comprehensive guide for parents about the reading process. It addresses all the key elements and skills that "good readers" should possess. It talks directly about letter sounds, sound patterns, sight words and how to keep your child on the right track. It includes word lists, book titles for adult resources and suggestions of good literature for early readers. It uses parent friendly explanations and highlights questions that are often asked about developing readers. Well organized, it includes tips and easy-to-do activities with materials found at home. It would recommend this book for parents and teachers of JK - Grade 5 students. D. Johnston, elementary school teacher, Milton, Ontario

I'm an aide in an elementary school and this has been a great help to me. The charts are perfect. The suggested reading lists are right on. The kid jokes are cute (pg. 211, 217). There are even recipes for play dough and chocolate cake! Whether you're teaching kids to read or not, there's something in here for everybody. Patty B.

In her latest book, Tracey Wood demystifies the process of teaching kids to read. As parents, we've all been told that reading is critical to a child's success in school, in a future career and for pleasure and enrichment throughout a lifetime. We feel a great deal of pressure to help our children achieve this important skill, but typically don't know how to go about it. Tracey presents a refreshingly straightforward, step-by-step approach to teaching reading skills. The book is chock-full of word lists, fun activities, games, and creative ideas to engage a child's interest and get him reading. There are helpful book recommendations for readers of all levels (including parents!) and pointers on spotting reading problems early, with practical suggestions for getting help. The book is spiced with humorous anecdotes parents can truly appreciate. Tracey's compassion and commonsense shine through and take the stress out of teaching kids to read. I highly recommend this book to parents of beginning readers.

With plenty of anecdotes illustrating her own experiences of teaching children to read Tracey guides you all the way. The book is so well set out that you can dip into it and find appropriate activities to reinforce your reader's abilities and extend them appropriately. My sons love word games and we enjoyed reading Tracey's versions. I would like to see an Australian edition with spelling lists for all the mum's here who would like to use this fabulous resource.