You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Mother Goose Tales to Read Together

I saw all the positive reviews, so I bought this book for my 7 year old nephew. Before wrapping it, I looked through it to see if it was something I would buy for my 3 and 5 year old boys when they learn to read. We are big readers and I'm very picky since I'm the one always reading the books. This book is so sweet and so fun! My reaction was immediate and my boys loved it. Here is an example of a short story in this book: (The adult reads the purple sentence, the child reads the second sentence printed in red and the blue "we" sentences you read together. So, each of the sentences below are in different colors.) I like soda. I like milk. I like satin. I like silk. I like puppies. I like kittens. I like gloves. And I like mittens. I like apples. I like pears. I like tigers. I like bears. I like to slide. I like to swing. We don't agree on anything! I like butter. I like jam. I like turkey. I like ham. I like rivers. I like lakes. I like cookies. And I like cakes. I like yellow. I like blue. I like pizza. I like stew. I like summer. I like spring. We don't agree on anything! There's something else I like a lot. Bit if I like it, You will not. There's something else That I like, too. But you won't like it If I do. Tell me yours And I'll tell mine. I like reading. Reading's fine! You like reading? Yes, I do. Why, reading was What I picked, too! Well, then, at last We both agree! I'll read to you! You'll read to me! Here's another story.... My little brother Saw a bear. He saw a bear? He saw it where? He said he saw it In his bed. That's where it was, My brother said. Your brother saw A bear in bed? In his own bed? That's what he said. I bet it gave him Quite a fright! It asked if it Could spend the night. Spend the night Right in his bed? The bear asked that? That's what he said. So then what did Your brother say? He told the bear That it could stay, That it could stay A night or more If it would promise Not to snore. Your little brother Sounds quite brave To tell a bear How to behave. He said he fed it from a cup. (Sometimes he likes To make things up.) He made it up About the bear? Perhaps he did, But I don't care. It's still a story That is fun. Then let's make up Another one. We'll write it down And when we're through You'll read to me! I'll read to you!

Not long ago I was attending a conference for reading teachers. The main topic of conversation was, as you might imagine, books. After the third person told me You Read to Me is "simply wonderful," and "a must-have," I decided I'd better check it out. My colleagues were not exaggerating. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You is one of those rare "must-haves." The book, as the title implies, is created for two voices. Thoughtfully, the text is divided into three columns, each done in a different color print. One reader reads the left-hand passages. The second reader reads the right-hand passages. Both readers, of course, read the text in the middle. The dozen stories in the book are original, fresh, and funny. (Hoberman refers to them as little plays for two voices.) Each is short, rhythmic, and rhyming. Topics include: mice, cats, dogs, bears, snakes, snowmen, friendship, hats, and more. Emberley's illustrations, done in pen, watercolor, and dry pastel, perfectly compliment and enrich the text. The character's actions and facial expressions are priceless. The book works exceedingly well in the classroom. Perfect for "buddy reading," it also provides teachers a perfect vehicle for working one-on-one with students. As we know, reading aloud helps to build fluency-which in turn helps with comprehension. You Read to Me, I'll Read to You is the perfect fluency-building book. You Read to Me receives our highest recommendation. Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

As the Mary Ann Hoberman explains in her introduction: "Here's a book/With something new-/You read to me!/I'll read to you!/We'll read each page/To one another-/You'll read one side,/I the other..." This clever and unique picture book includes 12 very short stories, written like a dialogue, and based on simple, lighthearted, friendly themes, that are perfect for emerging, and early readers. Each part is color coded for sharing and fun. I read the purple lines, you read the red, and we read the blue lines together, and then maybe switch. Ms Hoberman's joyous, rhyming text is full of rhythm, energy, and repetition and complemented by Michael Emberley's charming and humorous illustrations. You Read To Me, I'll Read To You is a delightful introduction to the joys and wonders of both reading, and reading together. As the author reminds your young reader at the end: "...But there are other/Books to read./Hundreds/Thousands/All we need./Any time/In any weather/We can sit/Right down together./In the shade/Or in the sun/Choose a book/That looks like fun./One that's old/Or one that's new./Make-believe/Or really true./I'll read one line/I'll read two./You read to me./I'll read to you."

this is a wonderful book for children just learning to read. it encourages them to read aloud with interesting short stories and the illustrations are wonderful. my grandson was struggling to learn to read and hating every minute until he got this book and now it is not only his favorite book, but he wants to read everything.