On the importance of reading aloud to children

Have you read Jim Trelease's "The Read Aloud Handbook"? 
Or Mem Fox's "Reading Magic"?
 
If your answer is no-- go get one and read it as soon as possible.  My small town library has a copy of both so there's a good chance that your library would have them as well.

These are both fabulous books that go in-depth about the value of reading aloud to children...of ALL ages.  

Reading aloud:

• is a bonding time
• is screen-free
• builds vocabulary
• enhances listening skill
• develops background knowledge for future learning
• breeds familiarity with written structure
• fosters imagination 
• gives parents and children a common interest, something to talk about
• lets kids hear what reading fluency sounds like (using character voices, pauses, etc)

Here are some of my favorite picture book read alouds:
  
   
    

  
    
  

And finally, a Pinnable image so you don't have to try to remember all of the titles!