Share This Book

by John Hutton, Christina Brown (Illustrations)

What’s the best way to read to children? Developed by a pediatrician, the research-backed SHARE STEP method helps babies and their grownups get the most out of every reading opportunity, beginning at birth. S is for Snuggle. H is for Hands On. A is for Affection. R is for Respond (In this phase, try to STEP: Stretch, Talk, Explore, Patience). And E is for Enjoy! Simple text and high-contrast illustrations, perfect for developing eyes and brains, show how it works.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Family

14 pages, Board Book

Published September 1, 2018

About the author

Dr. John S. Hutton is a pediatrician and researcher at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, owner/overseer of blue manatee children’s bookstore and founder of blue manatee press. His research and advocacy interests are the influence of home reading environment and shared reading on early brain development, the health effects of screen-based media, and the creation of children's books to effectively convey infant and child health information. His research was the first to show a measurable effect of home reading exposure prior to kindergarten on brain function, using functional MRI. His Baby Unplugged and Love Baby Healthy book series have been distributed to over 1 million families nationwide, often via statewide public health initiatives. A recovering novelist, he has won awards for his writing in several genres, and attended writing workshops in Iowa City and Squaw Valley, CA. He lives with his family, dogs, cat, rabbit, fish, and a whole bunch of Bees, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Reviews

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Share This Book, written by Dr. John Hutton and illustrated by Christina Brown, a book for both parents and toddlers about the joys and importance of reading together.

Using vignettes of a diverse cast of families, the light story uses simple rhymes to lay out the basics of the”SHARE STEP” method of reading with very young children. First, it shows a family cuddled together for storytime (S = “Snuggle”), then a parent allowing their child to handle the book and turn the pages (H = “Hands On!”), etc. A short blurb about the method including acrostics of the fundamentals are featured on the back cover.

As you might imagine, we definitely liked this! We’re huge advocates for literacy and shared reading, so a book that can not only entertain very little ones while helping their parents find ways to help them learn and grow through books speaks to us! And it accomplishes its goal very well: the rhymes are mostly simple, easily read-aloud, and have a warm and soothing tone. The illustrations use a muted color palette that will be easy on developing eyes, though I wish there had been either more contrast for the very youngest bookworms or more color to engage toddlers. Still, the characters are adorable, drawn with Disney-like button noses and open, expressive faces. The length is perfect for the very young, and JJ loved all the babies. This is great way to start baby bookworms on the path to literacy, and we really enjoyed it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet board book shows parents interacting with babies and toddlers with books. The rhyming text gives simple examples of how to share books; and the adorable cartoon illustrations look like stills from animation, as if they will start moving any moment.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Infant-Toddler (board book)

Hutton demonstrates great early literacy practices for reading books to young ones, while also keeping their interest in the book with fun sounds and rhyming text. A white background emphasizes faces and highlights the emotional bond between parent and child when reading. Librarians are gonna love this one!

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Board book again to give caregivers the chance to talk about reading. CLEL Bell 2019 shortlist read

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes: loving books, family, reading together

[Lauren Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cedric's favorite page has the toys that match his room.

[Rosalind Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute baby bellies. Liked to look at the baby faces.

[Sarah T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK EVER for early literacy/baby storytimes to demonstrate what you should be doing with your babies to help them fall in love with books. LOVE IT!!!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a physician to help educate parents how to read with their little ones.

[Elizabeth]

I don't understand why the author hyphenated the word 'lovely.' Besides that, I love this book and wish every parent would be obligated to read it before they could leave the hospital with their newborn baby.