The Read-Aloud Handbook

January 1, 2001
The newly revised and updated fifth edition of The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease uses his trademark Q&A format to address such issues as television, library funding and the Harry Potter phenomenon. A "Treasury of Read-Alouds" in the back of the book suggests starting points for parents.

October 1, 2019

Giorgis, a professor of children's and young literature, revises Jim Trelease's classic guide, which was first published to great acclaim in 1982. This eighth edition generally adheres to the earlier version's format, with some changes to chapter headings. It retains the chatty success stories, some repeated, some new, but updates some of the research that supports the importance of reading aloud to children to promote a lifelong love of reading. Both editions stress the need for easy access to literature. Sections on the stages of reading aloud (infant, toddler, etc.) and strategies for reading aloud are repeated from the earlier edition. This version explores visual and digital literacy in greater depth, with useful examples. This edition differs most from its predecessors with the section "A Treasury of Recommended Read-Alouds," which features more current titles. Both editions provide lists of the authors' own special favorites in particular genres. VERDICT Like its predecessors, this is an excellent choice to recommend to parents and also useful for beginning teachers and librarians. Libraries that possess the seventh edition should consider replacing it with this more current version.-Jackie Gropman, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, VA

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