How do we get our children or our students to become better readers and gain that love of reading that we know is so important for their lives? The answer is simple - just read to them. Now the buts start, but I don't know how, but I don't have the time, but I don't know what I should read, but they are not interested. There is a solution to all these negative responses. Help is available from your school or public librarian, your child's teacher, local book stores who specialize in children's books, and experts on the subject.

Two such experts, Jim Trelease and Mem Fox, have excellent books, The Read-Aloud Handbook and Reading Magic respectively, which give information on sharing books with your children by reading aloud to them. Trelease's book is in its fifth edition. This classic guide has an inspiring message along with the latest research and personal interest stories. It offers an up-to-date Treasury of more than 1,500 children's books that are great for reading aloud. He covers picture books to novels. Updates can be found on Jim Trelease's website. Fox, an internationally respected literacy expert and bestselling author, explores more into how reading aloud will help our kids on the road to reading. Reading aloud makes such an impact on the lives of children. In her book, she shows with easy-to-follow examples how to read aloud to best effect and how to get the most value and joy out of a read-aloud session. Mem Fox's website, lists her ten commandments of reading aloud, along with interesting details of her writing and chapters from her books.

Both of these books are for anyone who would like to know more about how children learn to read, how to make them better readers, and how to go about starting to read-loud for any age. They validate what those of us who are around children know - reading aloud awakens children's imaginations and improves their language skills.