Reading Bug

by Paul Jennings

Parents are the best reading teachers in the world. Parental involvement is key to a child learning to read, to use language - and to their whole early years education. In an easy-to-read, jargon-busting book, Paul Jennings gives simple strategies to show how parents can use books to enrich their children's lives - it's not just about learning to read, it's about learning to love reading. He cuts through the jargon and controversy to show how every parent can infect their child with the reading bug.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Parenting

246 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.

After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).

In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).

Reviews

[Elizabeth Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading The Reading Bug. Paul Jennings is a very entertaining writer whether he's writing fiction or non-fiction. This book was not only valuable for me as a parent, but also as a primary school teacher of reluctant readers and it also helped me a great deal as a fiction writer for young readers. There were great little tips everywhere about how he writes, why he writes this way, and why he chooses certain words. He is so mindful of his readers and their level of reading ability and much of what Jennings had to say really helped me think more about my readers and how to help them out as they read my books in future.

I love that in each chapter there is a list of book recommendations for whatever focus that chapter has. His advice and knowledge is practical and makes a lot of sense, while presenting it such an entertaining, enjoyable way. The comic illustrations throughout by Andrew Weldon contribute beautifully to the humour as well. I often laughed out loud.

Thanks Mr Jennings for such a comprehensive, yet easy to read-and-understand guide to making reading fun for young people and making sure that the incomparable act of reading a book is not going to become a thing of the past.

[Elizabeth Tyrrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennings does a great job in a very easy to read format. He believes parental/teacher passion, instilled in a child as early as possible, is the foundation for fluent and dedicated readers. His books contain tons of valuable advice, yet he presents it in a lighthearted way that is easy on the eye and easy on the brain.

Almost every page has a fun cartoon, illustrating the theme of the chapter. He emphasizes the importance of regular, one-on-one sessions, and he urges parents and literacy teachers to pay close attention for signs of boredom or fatigue. Jennings maintains the importance of positive feedback and a tolerance for minor pronunciation errors or skipping words isn't crucial for early readers; anything that mutes a love of reading is to be avoided, in order to keep the young learner's attention and focus.
In addition to the invaluable instruction, there is a recommended reading list at the back of the book, covering ages from birth to teens. This book, written by a man who cares deeply about encouraging literacy in children, should be a mandatory bible for every school classroom and every childhood home.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the reading lists are now a little outdated, this is still an 'updated version' of this book and still very relevant. Paul writes mainly for parents but also is a good book for anyone who deals with children and reading. Some quick, excellent advice, some insight and not overly technical or wordy with his usual humour and illustrations to help what is a rather technical and boring subject. Reading ability can easily be done by teens but may not wish to know why they 'read' or 'don't read'. The philosophy of having children reading rather than getting too hooked up on what and how they read. Through passion comes skill.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars
Not unuseful tips on how to encourage literacy in kids.
The author is obviously very passionate about this subject, which redeems the self-propaganda quite a bit. (The author plugs quite a bit of his own books, but uses them as examples to illustrate how he practically approaches his theory.) That and the fact that he is so enthusiastic about other writers and illustrators. (And someone who manages to mention Biggles 3 times can´t be all that bad xD).

[Graciela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It gave me good tips on how to encourage reading for my daughter. I must look for author's children books in the library.

[Gemma Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book so wonderful and helpful that I read it in one sitting. There are great ideas that I will be implementing and I am excited to do so.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible book for parents and educators who want to encourage reading

[Vanessa]

We are a reading household - books, magazines, newspapers and now Kindles and IPads. I picked this up by chance at a booksale yesterday. I truly wish I had read it when my eldest daughter entered school. Despite the multiple reading influences and an abundance of books as well as being read to by her older cousins, her grandparents and us, she struggled. We struggled. We added pressure, we added remedial classes. We let up and she learnt to read. And ended up surpassing the early readers in her class.

Paul Jennings approach has so much commonsense built into it and is so relevant in this era of hyper-parenting.

[Meep · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm an educator and not a parent, but I found this very helpful in thinking about how to talk to my students when they come to the library to select their books. The chapter on computers is a little outdated (does anyone still play Neopets?) but I liked Jennings thoughtfulness about technology and literacy. Jennings does not like violent computer games, but his assessment did not turn into a moral panic, but it was in keeping with his emphasis on the importance of stories for moral development without preaching sermons, and learning without teaching "lessons."

Jennings emphasis on joy and love of reading was a refreshing change from leveled books and educational readers.

[Palawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful guide to me at a time when I felt terribly unsure of ways to help my son learn to read. I was both reassured and inspired by this book and highly recommend it for parents, teachers and home-educators.
These days my son is an avid reader and it's hard work keeping his bookshelf stocked. The journey has been so worthwhile.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy to read, engaging and makes complete sense to me! Targeted at parents of young children mainly, it provides a rock solid argument for nurturing a love of reading in children and gives lots of practical advice. There's nothing difficult about creating a reading culture in your family according to Paul Jennings. It's a good one for teachers too.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, inspiring and practical. Parents are the best people to teach children to read, and you don't even need to teach, you just need to surround your child with reading and writing. Very affirming, and lists of great books to use.

[Gervy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful - mainly for big list at the back of the book of different books for different stages. And because this is an Australian book I expect most of the titles will be available through our local library.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about reading. Includes his thoughts about writing, also. There are very cute cartoons interspersed throughout the book.

A lot of his book recommendations are by Australians, which is nice because I was not familiar with some of them.

[Pamala Hansford]

An excellent and simple outline on the happiest way to encourage kids to read...And how important it is to do this.

[Riverina Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Members of Riverina Regional Library reserve your copy now

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderfully informative. Love Paul Jennings

[Maggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy & funny read with sensible suggestions. I wish I'd read it before my kids were 8&10 & reluctant. I'm not sure I learnt anything new on boys but I will give the book lists a go.