Just Read!

by Lori Degman, Victoria Tentler-Krylov (Illustrations)

These kids all love to read—alone or together, on a bus or in a parade. And every time they open a book, they open up a whole new world, too!

Learning to read is a big accomplishment, and this exuberant picture book celebrates reading in its many forms. In rhyme, it follows a diverse group of word-loving children who grab the opportunity to read wherever and whenever they can. They read while waiting and while sliding or swinging; they read music and in Braille and the signs on the road. And, sometimes, they even read together, in a special fort they’ve built.

Genres: Picture Books, Books About Books, Childrens, Storytime, Poetry, Fiction, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

"Lori Degman is a teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing by day and a children's book author by night, weekend, and school holiday. She writes in rhyme, most of the time - but not always!

Lori is the award-winning author of:
1 Zany Zoo (Simon & Schuster in 2010) - An Illinois Reads Book Selection; winner of the Cheerios New Author Contest and Mom's Choice Award.

Cock-a-Doodle Oops! (Creston Books, 2014) - International Literacy Association Honor Book and winner of Mom's Choice Award.

Norbert's Big Dream (Sleeping Bear Press, 2016).

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

25 June 2022
My original Date Finished was 19 January 2001, improbable since the book was published in 2019. So I'm making a guess there. Pity I didn't put it at the top of the review as a check on typos. Time to create a new habit of always dating the reviews.

Still loving the retro illustration style; so exuberant!

***

19 January 2019

In the background of one of the pictures there is a character who looked rather familiar, like one of Miroslav Sasek's bits in This is London.

According to the note on the dust jacket, the illustrator is a fan of 50s and 60s picture books.

Good text, quality illustrations.

Library copy

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the picture book of my teacher/librarian reader heart. All of my #nerdybookclub friends are going to want this one. The ❤️ of reading shines through.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful ode to the power of books and reading! Books can accompany you when you need someone there. Books can take you places far and near. Even when you don't have a book, you can find things to read. Reading can happen anywhere - just bring a book and find those quick moments to read.
Accompanied by Tentler-Krylov's gorgeous watercolor illustrations, this book speaks to a reader's heart and makes you want to curl up with a book... now!
I can see this book being used at the beginning of the year to talk about reading habits. After reading the book, go back in and create a class list of what you see the readers in the book doing - where are they reading? when are they reading? what do you notice these readers do? This makes a great list to refer to and revisit throughout the year!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

We librarians and teachers and readers love books like Just Read; this book puts into words all the ways we love to read, all the places we love to read, and all the things we love to read. It’s a book-about-books for all who love to read, for all who want to share that love with others.

[Cassie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this message so much! First week of school.

[Gus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like that you should only read. You should read but it's not the only thing you should do.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really beautiful art style and creative rhymns

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Read! is a children's picture book written by Lori Degman and illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. It is a story centered on reading and the many ways that one could read.

Degman's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and lyrical. Peppy rhyming verse by Degman and whimsical digital-and-watercolor illustrations by Tentler-Krylov integrate the chosen titles’ settings and subjects into the children's lives, underscoring the ease and joy with which readers are transported by books.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. After lessons, a class of diverse students selects books at the library, which literally takes them to different worlds. Included in this diverse class of students is a blind girl reading a book in Braille and pictured alongside a child communicating with a sibling in sign language.

All in all, Just Read! is a wonderful read (pardon the pun) that affirms reading.

[Lilith Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. This book is about reading. A way to encourage young children to read.

Reading can be done anywhere and with anyone. Reading can even be done using a secret code. Indoors and outdoors there is no end to where you can read. The best part, when it all over, just pick up the book and read again.

This book is great because it encourages children to keep on reading. The text is accompanied by amazing illustrations. They are filled with rich color and details. A fun way to introduce new readers to reading.

I received this book in exchange for an hones review. All opinions are mine and were in no way influenced by outside sources. I am a professional blogger at Little Lady Plays

[Maria Caplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening reading workshop with this book - perfect introduction and great questions. Where and what do we read about? Opened ended questions and illustrations are as powerful as the words. Read about the author and illustrator.

[lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting this for my nephew because I am forcing him to be a reader!

Also: why was this children's book $19?!? I almost had a heart attack at the check out, since I wouldn't spend that much on a book for myself. But, hey, that's ok.*
*not super okay, but I'm making peace.

[Jack & Lily Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for book lovers!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming picture book that celebrates, and encourages, reading. Illustrations include a lot of diversity without feeling forced.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows that reading can be done just about anywhere, anytime. I love books that show youngsters that reading is an enjoyable activity.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do like the illustrations more than those in Degman's "Travel Guide for Monsters." Thanks, Victoria Tentler-Krylov.

And I certainly share author Lori Degman's fondness for reading.

But situations portrayed here strained my credulity, such as the playground where most of the kids were reading.

And reading Braille is just thrown in casually?

This whirlwind tour leaves me, at best, lukewarm.

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildly imaginative illustrations show people of all ages reading from books and devices (even a book in Braille) and a variety of places to encourage children to read anywhere. A diverse cast of readers make Just Read perfect for any young reader.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love song to reading. B+ for representation in the illustrations (and for the little stories there that exist outside the text). Plenty of black and mixed race kids, spotlight on an Asian kid, random kid-in-wheelchair in the playground scene, no hijabs, no obvious family diversity (unless you count all the moms dealing with one or more kids on their own).

[Laurie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This should be added to every library's collection, as we can't have too many children's books that celebrate reading. I liked how the text and the illustrations depicted reading in all kinds of ways and places, and I particularly appreciated the inclusion of braille and sign language.

I was a bit disappointed that after the opening lines, "I know how to read on my own! But sometimes I don't want to do it alone..."the book didn't follow up with a statement or image of adults continuing to read to and with the child. It's all too common to see caregivers stop reading to their children once they can read on their own, which is a real missed opportunity, so I'm always looking for books that model continued shared reading habits. Oh well.

The illustrations are very nice and there are lots of details to pore over. I particularly like the awesome tree-house book club at the end and the little free library on the final end-page.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

E (age 7)- I give this 3 stars because the colors blend together and can get mixed up. Also, the hand-writing is hard to read.

Me- I actually gave this 5 stars (so we compromised on a 4 star rating) because I think the watercolor drawings are beautiful and the book itself is a celebration of reading with so many details to be found on the pages. I think the font looks artistic but I can see why Eva says it is hard to read once I look at it again. I still think this is a stunning book with diverse characters pictured and I would love to use the artwork to decorate our elementary school library.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Read! by Lori Degman, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov. PICTURE BOOK Sterling Children’s Books, 2019. $17. 9781454925729

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book covers all of the different ways a reader can enjoy reading. Reading is fun, but if you don’t want to do it alone you can enjoy it with the characters in your book or animals that you are learning about. You can use reading to decipher signs and learn about new places. There are different ways to read with braille or sign language. You can read while sitting in traffic or shopping at the store or simply enjoying a quiet spot under the tree.

This book is great for book lovers. There are very detailed illustrations to accompany the list of ways and places to read. This book is more of a list than a story, but it will be appreciated by those who enjoyed reading.

Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Andria Rosenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

With lively, colorful illustrations and wonderful rhyming text, this book will make kids hungry for reading! The illustrations burst with life as many, different children find joy in books of all types --including braille. Sure to become a story time favorite!

[Stacy Natal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book to celebrate the joy of reading, my students were a little ho hum about it.

[Janelle Bailey]

105: Just Read! by Lori Degman, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov

Oh, this is a beautifully illustrated book with so much art to look at and enjoy and share with a young and observant reader on each and every page. It's nearly as much about enjoying the detail of the pretty pictures as it is the rhyming message that carries through from start to finish to, truly: just read!

I personally and especially admire and advocate the book's message, sharing in singsong verse, simple directions for how, where, when, and what to read, playing on the importance of being able to read solo as well as to learn to enjoy reading with others and/or bringing the characters to life to join the child for reading. And though this is a children's book, the readers depicted are both children and adults--parents and others--modeling this critically important practice of "just" reading...and anywhere, everywhere, any time, and all varieties of materials.

With no idea when I checked it out that its point and purpose would be so very much aligned with my own in-progress-toward-publication-soon book, titled An Invitation To Read, I am tickled at how similar the two books' messages, though mine is intended for an older audience and will have far fewer illustrations. They convey very similar messages. With no plans to hijack this review to share that until...well, just now, I am freshly inspired, to "just write!" and get my book out there, too!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Read! is a celebration of reading, which demonstrates that reading can be done anywhere, everywhere, and invites fantasy in even the most unlikely places.

The title sums up the book nicely. Every page is dedicated to the act of reading, and young listeners are taken through a colorful and exciting display of how versatile reading can be. Following a gentle rhyme, the text flows in an easy to understand way, while still making the situations clear. The locations where a book can be read are almost as vast as the imagination—in a place, in the grocery store, in secret code or in the rain.

The illustrations are my favorite part of this book. They are vibrant and bring every scene to life. There are tons of details, both realistic and humorous. They invite for flipping through and exploring on their own, and still bring across the main message along the way.

There's no shying away from the message in these pages—read. This makes it a lovely book to read aloud to classrooms, library readings or other groups of kids, since it does inspire reading and show demonstrate how wonderful and fun it can be.

I received a complimentary copy and loved diving into these pages.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning how to read is exciting for many youngsters, but there is so much competition for attention from tablets, video games, social media, etc. Young readers need encouragement to shut out some of the distractions and learn how to enjoy time spent reading. As a teacher, I was always looking for ways to provide kids with time to choose their own books and READ! This awesome picture book uses bouncy, rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations that have a rich, retro feel to them to celebrate all the different ways books and reading can be enjoyed. Now that springtime is here, there are going to be more opportunities to get out of the house and read in different ways and places. This could be a great read aloud to encourage that. It could also generate a good discussion about all of the good times and places for reading. For example, our local transit company is now working with the local library to provide books to read on the busses. I'm all for any book that can get young people interested in reading!

[Sarah O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Just Read!” by Lori Degman illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov is a picture book about all the different types of ways to read. The book talks about reading with astronauts, knights, clowns, a tortoise and anything else found in a book. Reading can be done anywhere like in the car, on a train, vegetable aisles, and in the rain. The book mentions being able to read bumpy lines or language using signs. This is a great way to include a diverse group of readers. Not only does this book encourage reading, but it also has detailed and engaging illustrations. Each page is filled with color and each drawn character is racially, physically, and culturally unique. The end pages of the book show a parade of people holding books and a banner that says “Just read!” and the final end page is the parade leaving the page of the book. This adds to the story by showing how positive people are about reading. “Just Read” should be considered for the Caldecott medal because it is beautifully illustrated and displays a wide array of people, books, and scenes.

[Janet Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Read! by Lori Degman with illustrations by Victoria Tentler-Krylov is a charming celebration of the joy to be found in reading and an enthusiastic reminder of the amazing ways in which readers are able to explore a world outside their own.
“I read things that scare me or cause me to grin.
I read about places where I’ve never been.”

An energetic rhyming text enumerates the many times, places, and ways in which diverse characters find opportunities to read.
“I read with my fingers across bumpy lines.
I read with my voice or my hands, using signs.”

Vibrant colors and an abundance of detail make the watercolor illustrations “pop” and invite readers to look closer as words conjure images for each young book-lover. I girl holds a book on code-breaking in one hand while she uses her other fingers to draw Morse code on a steamy window. A boy with a guitar searches through sheet music and song books.

Recommended as a fun addition to home and school libraries.

[Taryn Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose Just Read mostly for the illustrations, I’ll be honest. I love the watercolor work throughout the book and I also love the diversity represented in the pages. I think this book would make a grade read at the start of the year for a second or third grade classroom. It is a great book to motivate readers, highlight the importance of reading, but also just to hyper focus on those readers who always have their nose in a book whenever they have a spare moment. I think it could also be used as a mini-lesson for authors purpose. The lines “I read things that scare me or cause me to grin. I read about places where I’ve Never Been”, really showcases all the different reasons we pick up books. The author also pays homage to students who don’t traditionally learn to read and struggle while doing so. I think this is such an important aspect to a children’s book, especially a picture book. This way all students are represented.

[NBPB Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

How would you like to read? Just sit on a chair alone, in a crowded library full of people, or on a train watching the story magically flow or sneaking a minute on a busy day. Every bibliophile has done almost everything and read everything under the sun.

We picked this book based on a recommendation. The book will surely encourage little kids to read more, and the rhyming texts are fun to repeat. In addition, the whimsical watercolor-styled illustrations make this book truly special.
Just Read! by Lori Degman is a book that will resonate with every bookworm and is a must-have for libraries.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that extolls the pleasures of reading and the value it brings. One of the things I liked about this book was that it really focused on the personal benefits and joy of reading. It made it seem, rightfully so, as the most fun you can have because of all the options available and you don't want to miss out. This is a great book to use at the beginning of the year when you are talking about reading and your libraries available to the students. I love having a number of books all about reading at the start of the year and having children buddy read them in small groups and then share out about them and move to the next group of books. As a group, talking about all they learned and all they know is a great round-up to this activity.