What Makes a Good Book!
National Association for the
Education of Young Children
Annual Conference, 2006
Dorothy S. Strickland
1
Handouts will be available
in Exhibit Hall A in the GWCC and at -www.naeyc.org
www.nieer.org
Preschool Policy Brief
by Dorothy S. Strickland & Shannon Riley-Ayers
“Early Literacy: Policy & Practice in the Preschool Years”
&
and an excerpt from their forthcoming book
“Literacy Leaders in Preschool Settings”
A Quick Guide for Directors, Principals, Supervisors, and Teacher Leaders
Published by NAEYC and Teachers College Press
2
What makes a good book?
Reading Aloud to Children
-- at home and at school -has a special role
in young children’s literacy development.
BUT, WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK?
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#1
It has universal appeal!
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A Chair for My Mother
by Vera B. Williams
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A Chair for My Mother
by Vera B. Williams
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Reflection -

Sharing books with children is strong
motivation for learning to read. Show
your enthusiasm and interest as you
read aloud.
Listening to fluent reading provides the
foundation for fluency
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#2
It has interesting language!
the language flows;
it has rhythm;
you can play with it
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Honey, I Love
Eloise Greenfield
pictures by Diane and Leo Dillon
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Reflection -

Language play fosters a sensitivity
to the sound system, the
foundation for phonemic
awareness and phonics.
Provides a sense of words and
sentences
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#3
It educates as it entertains!
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Snowballs
by Lois Ehlert
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Snowballs
by Lois Ehlert
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Reflection -
Informational books of all kinds provide
background knowledge about the world,
which is essential for vocabulary
development and reading
comprehension.
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#4
It evokes discussion!
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Amazing Grace
Mary Hoffman
Caroline Binch
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Amazing Grace
Mary Hoffman
Caroline Binch
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Reflection -Encourage children to –
 Reflect on what was read;
 Compare books on the same topic;
and by the same author;
 Help make connections to their lives
listening and speaking
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#5
It provides a sense of history
and connection to the past!
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The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin
James Cross Giblin
Illustrations by Michael Dooling
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The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin
James Cross Giblin
Illustrations by Michael Dooling
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Reflection -Extend book experiences through
interactive writing.
 Talk about what was read
 Save the good ideas by writing them
down as children dictate them
 Read and reread together
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#6
It introduces children
to other cultures!
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Going Home
by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by David Diaz
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Going Home
by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by David Diaz
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Reflection -Sharing books about people from other
cultures helps broaden children’s
background knowledge and
understanding of the diverse world in
which we live. Help children understand
that the way we live may seem strange
to others.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#7
It introduces children
to varied forms of literature!
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Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea
by Vera B. Williams & Jennifer Williams
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Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea
by Vera B. Williams & Jennifer Williams
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Reflection -
Knowing something about the structure
of stories and informational books
supports both –
reading comprehension
and writing.
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#8
It’s a classic piece of literature!
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The Illustrated Book of Fairy Tales
Retold by Neil Philip
Illustrated by Nilesh Mistry
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Reflection -
Classic literature is referred to in jokes,
newspaper articles, and modern stories
– a key part of background knowledge
for –
reading comprehension
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Cartoon from the
New Yorker Magazine
by Shanahan
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#9
It’s worth reading
over and over
again!
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Good Night Moon
Margaret Wise Brown Pictures by Clement Hurd
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Reflection -

There is value in repeated listening to the
same stories and poems. Children memorize
portions and gain a sense of comfort and
control over knowing what comes next.
Shared reading of big books and charts offers
children an opportunity to participate in the
reading. Builds concepts about books & print.
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What Makes a Good Book?
Dorothy’s top ten
#10
It makes you laugh!!
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Raising Sweetness
Diane Stanley G. Brian Karas
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Handouts will be available in Exhibit
Hall A in the GWCC and at -www.naeyc.org
www.nieer.org
Preschool Policy Brief
by Dorothy S. Strickland & Shannon Riley-Ayers
“Early Literacy: Policy & Practice in the Preschool Years”
&
and an excerpt from their forthcoming book
“Literacy Leaders in Preschool Settings”
A Quick Guide for Directors, Principals, Supervisors, and Teacher Leaders
Published by NAEYC and Teachers College Press
40