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Oh, How I Wished I Could Read!
This Teachers’ Choice award winner, Oh, How I Wished I Could Read! by John Gile, produces laughs and gasps that make its "reading is vital" message a child-pleasing joy. Highly acclaimed and a national bestseller, it's a perfect book for fun-loving parents and high spirited teachers who laugh with their children and use humor to teach.
37 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 10, 2018
This book teaches the importance of words and literacy. The illustrations are colorful and add a bit of humor. The story also adds irony and suspense. This story highlights topics such as transportation, signs, and feelings. This book also has rhyming words to capture the attention of young children.
March 2, 2018
This book is a lovely way to introduce the importance and love for reading. The rhymes in the book keep the children engaged and increase imagination. It encourages language and literacy skills and the love that the child has for wanting to read. The images are bright and fun to keep children alert of what you are reading.
March 2, 2018
Book can be used to teach children about emotions. Illustrations in the book very bright and visual for children. Good book for kids to read along.
March 18, 2018
Great book to increase the love of reading to young children, This book allows teacher to talk about how reading is important and keeps us away from dangerous things. Make different road signs children can see.
March 8, 2018
great book with good pictures to capture kids attentions and engage them great to promote reading development with young children.
March 6, 2018
This little boy gets into all sorts of adventures throughout this book, well, because he doesn't know how to read! This story engages young children through its irony and colorful illustrations. It is also a great way to introduce the importance of reading. Had the little boy known how to read, he would not have gotten into nearly as much trouble as he did.
September 2, 2014
Oh How I wish I could read by John Gile.
I enjoyed this book very much. It’s a happy cautionary tale about a boy who cannot read. The young boy wonders around constantly finding himself in trouble because he simply cannot read. The boy walks into danger left and right. In his dream he can’t read stop sings, he gets chased by dogs. He also manages to step into wet cement. This book really illustrates the importance of being able to read. While still allowing us to having fun.
The book really does an amazing job with pictures and illustration. The words are extremely simple and very easy to read. I would recommend reading this to your class to teach them the importance of reading. The pictures and illustrations are so well done you don’t even need the words to understand in the story what is going on. The rhyme scheme also makes the book more enjoyable and easier for young kids to read and enjoy.
I enjoyed this book very much. It’s a happy cautionary tale about a boy who cannot read. The young boy wonders around constantly finding himself in trouble because he simply cannot read. The boy walks into danger left and right. In his dream he can’t read stop sings, he gets chased by dogs. He also manages to step into wet cement. This book really illustrates the importance of being able to read. While still allowing us to having fun.
The book really does an amazing job with pictures and illustration. The words are extremely simple and very easy to read. I would recommend reading this to your class to teach them the importance of reading. The pictures and illustrations are so well done you don’t even need the words to understand in the story what is going on. The rhyme scheme also makes the book more enjoyable and easier for young kids to read and enjoy.
August 28, 2018
After reading "Oh How I Wish I Could Read" by John Gile, my first impression was that it was a cute and well drawn out children's book with a message on the importance of reading. The initial impact was that a little boy was struggling throughout his entire day because he couldn't read any signs. The message to the reader is that reading is important because it keeps you aware and safe. The shapes of the illustration was very fun especially to a young reader as the main characters head was disproportionate to his body. The artistic style was that it incorporated the signs the character needed to see as well as his reaction so it was very descriptive in the way that the images could tell the story in itself. The main and only character of the children's book was the little blonde boy who could not read. The mood of this book was distress because the little boy was frantic since he can not read and keeps getting himself into situations, and the setting was unknown, however, it was out and about in the neighborhood with this little boy. Rate 5/5.
August 29, 2018
While the story was entertaining, I don't believe I could ever see myself reading this to a group of children. The nightmare that the main character was having in this book lead him on a string of bad luck, and could have gotten him seriously hurt. Children are easily influenced, and it is possible that they could try to recreate something they saw in it because they want to make their friends laugh.
That being said, the artwork was beautiful, and the colors certainly caught my eye. The artist emphasized a lot, making it have a light, comedic tone, but the colors weren't as bright as others, and they didn't pop out at you. It gave more to the story, rather than just focusing on the pictures, and I believe this is a good middle ground when urging children to move on from basic picture books.
That being said, the artwork was beautiful, and the colors certainly caught my eye. The artist emphasized a lot, making it have a light, comedic tone, but the colors weren't as bright as others, and they didn't pop out at you. It gave more to the story, rather than just focusing on the pictures, and I believe this is a good middle ground when urging children to move on from basic picture books.
August 29, 2018
"Oh, How I Wished I Could Read!" is story about a little boy who is dreaming about not being able to read. This story shows the true inconveniences one would have if they could not read in day to day life. The book shows the reader how being able to read really keeps you safe and protected from things one normally doesn't think about. I really enjoyed this book and plan to give it to my little brother. The book isn't too difficult to read and it is a great story that makes you feel thankful that you can read.
May 27, 2019
I liked how the author created a story of how frustrating and upsetting it is to not be able to read. What would need to be explained to children is that some people are like the character in the story. The story tells about the bad things that can happen when people aren't able to read. Most of what the child was experiencing was on everyday signs such as 'wet paint' and 'beware of dog'. The author's relation to not being able to read and signs in the everyday environment was a great way to introduce signs in the environment.
August 29, 2017
This book by John Gile and illustrated by Frank Fiorello follows the story of a young boy who has a terrible nightmare: he is no longer able to read. As the young boy's day goes on, he encounters many times where his inability to read gets him into trouble. Whether is be wet paint, high voltage signs, or medicine labels, Gile and Fiorello demonstrate to readers the importance of reading in our every day lives.
March 2, 2018
The book “Oh How I Wished I Could Read” by John Giles is classified as juvenile fiction; targeting ages 3 and up. This story is a good choice to guide children to a greater understanding and have discussions about the importance of learning how to read. The story gives real depictions and colorful illustrations of the important role reading has in our life. The story has a poem-like flow to it with rhyming, vocabulary enrichment and humor.
April 14, 2018
This is a great book for elementary students. There is nothing as important as a child that wants to read. The fun story and beautiful illustrations make this story a blast. This book has an important message for every young person. With so many kids not reading a lot, this should be on the must read list.
April 16, 2018
I thought this book was about the fear of not being able to read or understand things. Fear comes from not understanding for example if a person saw a dog they might be scared if they didn't know it was trained and nice.
April 18, 2018
This book really illustrates the importance of being able to read. While still allowing us to having fun, and it shows children the excitement of reading. With the little boy having a horrible nightmare about not being able to read he wakes up and is happy it was just a dream.
May 28, 2019
I love this book, it teaches children to work hard on their goal and also lets them know that their are not alone, there is people out there with them. Also, children need to know that we all develop on our own pace.
August 13, 2019
In a boy’s dream, he can not read and process to sit in wet paint, gets chased by angry dogs, nearly gets hit by a car and sits in poison ivy — all because he can’t read.
Best line: It felt like I’d lost my friend and I had!
Fun, cartoon-like illustrations add humor.
Best line: It felt like I’d lost my friend and I had!
Fun, cartoon-like illustrations add humor.
April 3, 2018
A cute book that encourages reading. It has great pictures to go along with the fun story line. I would use this in a class to help engage the children and teach them to love reading!
April 18, 2018
A boy that dreamed that he couldn’t read. He found it difficult to be able to function in the world. Good book on the importance of reading.
April 18, 2018
This book teaches children the importance of reading. It has enriched vocabulary and colorful pictures. It also has rhyming throughout the story.
April 18, 2018
I found this book to be very emotional. The only time I think I would read this book would be at night. I think this would be a great bedtime story book.
April 18, 2018
The book is colorful, and the words are not too big. It is kind of long and plain story. I feel this book is good for older children.
July 11, 2022
A very cute way to show kids the problems associated with not being able to read.
January 17, 2015
Oh, How I Wished I Could Read is a humorous tale about a boy unable to read! As he walks along he find himself in big trouble that would've been avoided, if only he could read! This corky book is fun and creative in its ability to have a negative undertone whilst still holding an atmosphere of motivation to read.
Overall my first impressions seemed to fall more towards the several vehicles used to move you through the story:
-The first peak that stood boldly off the page was the bright and hot color schema. Each page, as it highlighted the hilariously unfortunate upcoming event, grew with intensity and power. Bright reds, oranges and minimal blues and greens helped emphasis the growing anger of the poor child. The young boy struggled with his inability to read, and once realizing everything was but reality, the colors began to soften as his green and purple and blue room was depicted.
-Diction was a large matter that made itself known. While remaining simple yet sporadic, the word choice was still spread out to where a youth could read it with ease. The words, as funny as they were, made its presence among the series of unfortunate events. Everything from discovering "too late what the 'Wet Paint' sign said" until "a pack of wild dogs chased me right up a tree" was a spotless progression. There was a touch of rhyme in there as well to keep young readers motivated and entertained.
-The alternate route John Gile took to this small tale was using a negative undertone to motivate the reader into understanding the importance of learning and understanding new words. Much like Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day the author used a sort of slap-stick humor in order to encourage the reader to power through; they are better off being on the better side of the playing field.
All in all the story was a creative new outlook on reading. John Gile was able to balance the funny along with he serious outlook on the importance of the ability to read. Easy for young readers looking to broaden their horizons in vocabulary.
Overall my first impressions seemed to fall more towards the several vehicles used to move you through the story:
-The first peak that stood boldly off the page was the bright and hot color schema. Each page, as it highlighted the hilariously unfortunate upcoming event, grew with intensity and power. Bright reds, oranges and minimal blues and greens helped emphasis the growing anger of the poor child. The young boy struggled with his inability to read, and once realizing everything was but reality, the colors began to soften as his green and purple and blue room was depicted.
-Diction was a large matter that made itself known. While remaining simple yet sporadic, the word choice was still spread out to where a youth could read it with ease. The words, as funny as they were, made its presence among the series of unfortunate events. Everything from discovering "too late what the 'Wet Paint' sign said" until "a pack of wild dogs chased me right up a tree" was a spotless progression. There was a touch of rhyme in there as well to keep young readers motivated and entertained.
-The alternate route John Gile took to this small tale was using a negative undertone to motivate the reader into understanding the importance of learning and understanding new words. Much like Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day the author used a sort of slap-stick humor in order to encourage the reader to power through; they are better off being on the better side of the playing field.
All in all the story was a creative new outlook on reading. John Gile was able to balance the funny along with he serious outlook on the importance of the ability to read. Easy for young readers looking to broaden their horizons in vocabulary.
September 3, 2014
"Oh, How I Wished I Could Read" by John Gile was a much more important book then I had originally gave him credit before reading. The book starts out introducing the main character, a young boy, who decides to adventure out into the world, not knowing how to read. He soon realizes that he is dreaming, but continues on with his dream anyway, running into all sorts of trouble. He could not read any signs that he ran into, almost causing him to get hit by a car! The angry driver then exclaims "what's the matter with you, you should learn how to read". The young boy continues on his journey facing difficult scenarios that require him to know how to read.
This little boy, through his escapades in his dream world teaches just how important reading is. Without the ability to read, he could not see the signs to tell him to not cross the road. I saw my younger self in this boy, and the pure ignorance that not being able to read brings, and how dangerous it can be. The illustrations portrayed the lost feeling this boy felt at one point, while the text intertwined itself around the pictures to keep me involved. The author made sure that you were taking this trip with this boy, understanding his frustration, and helplessness of not being able to read. Everything in this world has something to do with reading, and John Gile does an amazing job at pushing the importance of reading through his book loud and clear.
This little boy, through his escapades in his dream world teaches just how important reading is. Without the ability to read, he could not see the signs to tell him to not cross the road. I saw my younger self in this boy, and the pure ignorance that not being able to read brings, and how dangerous it can be. The illustrations portrayed the lost feeling this boy felt at one point, while the text intertwined itself around the pictures to keep me involved. The author made sure that you were taking this trip with this boy, understanding his frustration, and helplessness of not being able to read. Everything in this world has something to do with reading, and John Gile does an amazing job at pushing the importance of reading through his book loud and clear.
September 2, 2014
Oh, How I Wished I Could Read! by John Gile is about a boy who had a nightmare about not being able to read. In the boy’s dream, he was in a series of troubles because he could not read the signs. Luckily, it was only a dream. The boy woke up and found out that he could still read and could not be happier about it.
The story shows the importance of being able to read with a simple hypothesis of what might happen if a person could not read. For instance, the boy almost got caught into a car accident because he could not read the sign. The boy even used a metaphor saying that not being able to read is like “losing a best friend”; a friend who are supposed to guide him and support him.
The boy also sets a good model for the readers by how much he valued reading. He thought the dream was a nightmare or something he fear that might happened in reality. When he woke up, the first thing he do was rush to where he put his books and check if he could still read. These examples show how important reading is to the boy.
The picture book captures children’s attention with vivid illustrations and relates to children with incidents that may happen in real life. It is meaningful but interesting to read at the same time.
The story shows the importance of being able to read with a simple hypothesis of what might happen if a person could not read. For instance, the boy almost got caught into a car accident because he could not read the sign. The boy even used a metaphor saying that not being able to read is like “losing a best friend”; a friend who are supposed to guide him and support him.
The boy also sets a good model for the readers by how much he valued reading. He thought the dream was a nightmare or something he fear that might happened in reality. When he woke up, the first thing he do was rush to where he put his books and check if he could still read. These examples show how important reading is to the boy.
The picture book captures children’s attention with vivid illustrations and relates to children with incidents that may happen in real life. It is meaningful but interesting to read at the same time.
Read
January 21, 2014This book is about how a little boy comes across all this misfortune because he does not know how to read. All these bad things happen to him and all he can do is say that he wished he knew how to read. Until finally at the end of the book, when he sits down and starts putting letters together that make words, words together that make sentences, and on until they made a story. He did not realize it until after he finished the book, that he can read.
I feel like that is a perfect example of how kids view reading. Some kids see reading as a chore or a requirement, rather than for fun. If a kid finds a book that the student is truly interested in, it will not seem like a chore but instead a hobby. The kid will want to finish the book. The kid will finish the book before he even knows it. This is a way for a teacher or parent to get their kids back into reading. Find a book that actually grabs the interest of the kid that is gonna make him stick to the book and not give up.
I feel like that is a perfect example of how kids view reading. Some kids see reading as a chore or a requirement, rather than for fun. If a kid finds a book that the student is truly interested in, it will not seem like a chore but instead a hobby. The kid will want to finish the book. The kid will finish the book before he even knows it. This is a way for a teacher or parent to get their kids back into reading. Find a book that actually grabs the interest of the kid that is gonna make him stick to the book and not give up.
Read
September 2, 2014Oh, How I Wished I Could Read is surely an eye grabber, the amazing color illustrations instantly made me want to pick up the book.
This book shows children the excitement of reading. With the little boy having a horrible nightmare about not being able to read he wakes up and is happy it was just a dream. The humor and laughter involved in this book allows young readers to find reading fun, and teachers enjoy telling the story. This story shows the obstacles in reading but also shows you can over come them. Many children go through things like this when first starting to read and John Gile also makes the book a little bit of a mystery, allowing the readers to see at the end if it was a dream or not.
These colorful packed illustrations allow us to laugh through out the story allowing it to make it more intense. Stories like this allow children to want to learn how to read!
This book shows children the excitement of reading. With the little boy having a horrible nightmare about not being able to read he wakes up and is happy it was just a dream. The humor and laughter involved in this book allows young readers to find reading fun, and teachers enjoy telling the story. This story shows the obstacles in reading but also shows you can over come them. Many children go through things like this when first starting to read and John Gile also makes the book a little bit of a mystery, allowing the readers to see at the end if it was a dream or not.
These colorful packed illustrations allow us to laugh through out the story allowing it to make it more intense. Stories like this allow children to want to learn how to read!
September 2, 2014
The book “Oh, I Wished I Could Read!” written by John Gile tells the story of a boy who has a dream that he can’t read. As he goes through his day he encounters numerous problems because he can’t read the signs. For example he sits on a bench that was just painted and almost gets hit by a car because he can’t read the stop sign.
This book shows children the importance of being able to read. The boy in the story becomes extremely frustrated because he can’t figure out what is going on in the world around him. It also makes children excited to learn to read because once they know how, they will be able to understand so much more.
This book shows children the importance of being able to read. The boy in the story becomes extremely frustrated because he can’t figure out what is going on in the world around him. It also makes children excited to learn to read because once they know how, they will be able to understand so much more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews