1. Reading to Children
Children who learn early in childhood that books are fun are more likely to remain readers throughout life.

2. Choosing Appropriate Books
One-year-olds need short, simple books with large, uncomplicated pictures. They like picture books with objects they can name and books with rhymes.
Two-year-olds prefer simple stories the can relate two. Like one-year-olds, they never tire of hearing their favorite stories again and again.
By age three, children enjoy longer stories with more of a plot. They like realistic stories that help them use their imagination.

3. Becoming a Mature Storyteller
Reading a story is like putting on a play. Create excitement and interest by varying the tone of your voice, giving each character a different voice, and using gestures and facial expressions.
If you are reading to one or two children, snuggle up close and hold the book so they can see. If you are reading to a group, arrange the children in a semicircle facing you. Read loudly enough for everyone to hear. Take the time to learn the book beforehand so you can keep the pictures facing the children.

4. Encourage Participation
Very young children can turn the pages (hand-eye coordination)
Relate the action and pictures in the book to the child’s own life
Ask questions as you read
With familiar books, let the child play the part of one character
With older children, point out the words for familiar objects. Practice recognizing letters and their sounds
Encourage children to dramatize a story by themselves or with puppets. Have them draw pictures to go with a story.

5. Remember …
Keep your focus on the child—not on the story. Reading together should be fun. If the child has stopped enjoying the story, put the book away.

6. By: Fred Gwynne
The King Who Rained

7. Daddy says
there was a king
who rained for
forty years.

8. Daddy says
there are forks
in the road.

9. Sometimes
Mommy says
she has a frog
in her throat.

10. Mommy says
all we get in
the mail are big
bills.

11. My big sister’s
getting married
and she says I
can hold up
her train.

12. Daddy says we
should live in
the present.

13. I’ve heard
Mommy talk
about the foot
prince in the
snow …

14. … and the blue
prince for the
new room on
our house.

15. Daddy says
some boars
are coming for
dinner.

16. Did you ever
hear such a
bunch of fairy
tails?

17. The End.

18. This story contains phrases which some young children may misunderstand as well as homophones.
Homophones are two words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings

19. What are some other examples?
I took advice from my peer (I took advice from my friend the same age as me).
I took a walk off the pier (I took a walk off the dock).
I have butterflies in my stomach (My stomach feels funny because I am nervous).
She has a green thumb (She is good at gardening).

20. Assignment
Come up with 5 of your own sayings that a child might misunderstand.
Create your own "King Who Reigned” story including colored illustrations.
Use the time you have to come up with your 5 sayings.