Early Years Bookshop: Reading Without Realising (Teacher Resource) by Heidi Jayne (author), Brenda Whittle (author), Craig Cameron (illustrator), and Debbie Clark (illustrator)

Author/Illustrator

Reviews

1. KBerry
   on 10 February 2008

   good book

   This book really appealed to me. I feel there is a real need for such a book. With so much pressure on getting children to read before they are ready, guidance is needed to help practitioners and parents see that many activities can support pre reading skills.

   Each activity is well set out with easy to read bullet points and I also like the extras- learning objectives, cross curricula links, home and play links, extension ideas and differentiation. I did find however that most of the activities were more suited to children in the later foundation stage- perhaps reception class children.

   There were a few activities that I was not so impressed with- for example the ‘Play school’ activity I felt was heading back towards more formal reading- especially with the home links. But, on the whole, I liked the activities and found there to be a good range covering a wide range of other curriculum areas too. One of my favourite activities was the tractor driver one which would be great for involving boys in reading. I also really liked the reading environment section and if I was working in a school would be keen to try out many of these ideas. They were not so appropriate for pack away settings though.

   On the whole a useful book with some good ideas and it makes me want to see other books in the series!

   3 out of 5

Case study

Teacher Miss Karen Beresford looks at Early Years Bookshop: Reading Without Realising for us.

This book really appealed to me. I feel there is a real need for such a book. With so much pressure on getting children to read before they are ready, guidance is needed to help practitioners and parents see that many activities can support pre reading skills. Each activity is well set out with easy to read bullet points and I also like the extras- learning objectives, cross curricula links, home and play links, extension ideas and differentiation. I did find however that most of the activities were more suited to children in the later foundation stage- perhaps reception class children. There were a few activities that I was not so impressed with- for example the ‘Play school’ activity I felt was heading back towards more formal reading- especially with the home links. But, on the whole, I liked the activities and found there to be a good range covering a wide range of other curriculum areas too. One of my favourite activities was the tractor driver one which would be great for involving boys in reading. I also really liked the reading environment section and if I was working in a school would be keen to try out many of these ideas. They were not so appropriate for pack away settings though. On the whole a useful book with some good ideas and it makes me want to see other books in the series!

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