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Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six
"Reading for Our Lives challenges the bath-book-bed mantra and the idea that reading aloud to our kids is enough to ensure school readiness. Instead, it gives parents easy, immediate, and accessible ways to nurture language and literacy development from the start. Through personal stories, historical accounts, scholarly research, and practical tips, this book presents the life-and-death urgency of literacy, investigates inequity in reading achievement, and illuminates a path to a true, transformative education for all"--
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2022
106 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 28, 2022
This is by far the best parenting book I’ve read. I really want anyone around my kids to read it.
The focus of the book is how to increase mindful parenting (i.e., pausing between stimulus and emotional reaction before action) to encourage children’s cognitive development. The starting point is basically that reading (and really cognitive) skills are all based on conversational development from birth onward.
It pushes back against the idea that just reading to kids is the gold standard for developing smart or thoughtful kids (ostensibly the purpose of reading, I would guess).
Reading to a kid has less value than reading with a kid and the book gives plentiful examples of how to transition a kid to reading. For example, like pointing to the book and saying where do we start the page? Why, etc., is better than just reading the same stuff without explication.
The book focuses a lot on the family T.A.L.K. method and gives examples and metrics for creating a conversation environment that focuses on questions and explanation rather than just direction. Another parenting focus is on praising a child’s character, not the action—like “you are so helpful,” not “that was a helpful to do that” when a kid helps.
Anyway the goal, as far as reading is concerned, is that building cognitive abilities and eventually reading abilities is largely conversational. The way to develop reading ability is through developing phenological awareness.
So, one method of doing that is “identifying, blending, segmenting, deleting.”
Here is prompt to exemplify how to do it that:
Identifying: let’s clap for each syllable in cupcake
Blending: what word is this: cup . . . cake?
Segmenting: what sounds do you hear in cupcake?
Deleting: can you say cupcake without the cup?
There are tons of great science based parenting tips. For example tv or e-media is not helpful to kids until about agar 3. Once they’re age 3, the can follow the cues (for shows like Sesame Street and so on) but the best practice is to watch a few episodes with a pre-schooler to model how to engage then let them do it.
Another is trying to average 2 conversational turns in a 1 minute conversation with a child or trying to respond to a pre-verbal child’s prompts to communicate within 5 seconds.
Best book I’ve read all year. Specifically for dads and dads to be, it is way more, to me anyway, useful than reading things about the birthing process (reading a lot of that feels counterproductive because it’s can be contradictory or still lacks context—at best it’s kind of like reading for an exam instead of a lifestyle change like parenting). I mean this in the sense of this is a book on child rearing not child bearing.
Also, this book feels data driven rather than anecdotal, so when I want to explore an issue further by reading the science or literature, the bibliography and narrative are helpful. So, I felt empowered to act, not anxious—which is by itself valuable to me as a dad to be.
The focus of the book is how to increase mindful parenting (i.e., pausing between stimulus and emotional reaction before action) to encourage children’s cognitive development. The starting point is basically that reading (and really cognitive) skills are all based on conversational development from birth onward.
It pushes back against the idea that just reading to kids is the gold standard for developing smart or thoughtful kids (ostensibly the purpose of reading, I would guess).
Reading to a kid has less value than reading with a kid and the book gives plentiful examples of how to transition a kid to reading. For example, like pointing to the book and saying where do we start the page? Why, etc., is better than just reading the same stuff without explication.
The book focuses a lot on the family T.A.L.K. method and gives examples and metrics for creating a conversation environment that focuses on questions and explanation rather than just direction. Another parenting focus is on praising a child’s character, not the action—like “you are so helpful,” not “that was a helpful to do that” when a kid helps.
Anyway the goal, as far as reading is concerned, is that building cognitive abilities and eventually reading abilities is largely conversational. The way to develop reading ability is through developing phenological awareness.
So, one method of doing that is “identifying, blending, segmenting, deleting.”
Here is prompt to exemplify how to do it that:
Identifying: let’s clap for each syllable in cupcake
Blending: what word is this: cup . . . cake?
Segmenting: what sounds do you hear in cupcake?
Deleting: can you say cupcake without the cup?
There are tons of great science based parenting tips. For example tv or e-media is not helpful to kids until about agar 3. Once they’re age 3, the can follow the cues (for shows like Sesame Street and so on) but the best practice is to watch a few episodes with a pre-schooler to model how to engage then let them do it.
Another is trying to average 2 conversational turns in a 1 minute conversation with a child or trying to respond to a pre-verbal child’s prompts to communicate within 5 seconds.
Best book I’ve read all year. Specifically for dads and dads to be, it is way more, to me anyway, useful than reading things about the birthing process (reading a lot of that feels counterproductive because it’s can be contradictory or still lacks context—at best it’s kind of like reading for an exam instead of a lifestyle change like parenting). I mean this in the sense of this is a book on child rearing not child bearing.
Also, this book feels data driven rather than anecdotal, so when I want to explore an issue further by reading the science or literature, the bibliography and narrative are helpful. So, I felt empowered to act, not anxious—which is by itself valuable to me as a dad to be.
Read
February 9, 2024A succinct and practical book on literacy. I’ve read many books on reading and this one acts as more of a how-to, filled with helpful tools and examples. In additon, I would recommend the podcast Sold a Story to drive home the importance of parents holding the primary responsibility of teaching their kids to read not depending on your traditional education system.
February 5, 2023
What an asset this book will be to families with young children. My girls are beyond the action-plan stage, but I picked this up at the store because I care passionately about talking to people about raising readers. My children are strong in their literacy skills for their age group, and through this book, I can articulate more of why that is likely, beyond reading aloud. The helpful tips with why to do these things to build phonological awareness is a resource I value for my own knowledge to share with others so they can make a difference in their readers. The last sentence of the book brought me to tears: “May we all move with intention and collective power to raise our readers well-which is to say ALL readers.”
My sister has two babies now. She’s asked me about what we did and when, and I now have labels and steps to summarize. That’s a gift. Take advantage of this author’s intentional and dedicated study to better the lives of young children and families all around you!
Four stars because I thought the spelling chapter was a wee bit much.
My sister has two babies now. She’s asked me about what we did and when, and I now have labels and steps to summarize. That’s a gift. Take advantage of this author’s intentional and dedicated study to better the lives of young children and families all around you!
Four stars because I thought the spelling chapter was a wee bit much.
August 28, 2022
Great primer on the mechanics of literacy, not much surprising but better depth and tips for how to do something with the research findings to help your kids.
March 8, 2023
Although this was a nonfiction book meant for parents of young children, outlining ways to teach some of the early literacy skills that kids need to be successful, it met my five star criteria. A book must not only wrap everything up in a nice bow at the end, it also to make me feel every emotion. I laughed and I cried and I felt inspired.
Reading is a complex process. It is definitely more than just putting letters together to make a word and then understanding what you read. However, parents play a huge role in providing some of the beginning skills for children before they even enter school. Payne provides a roadmap for how to do these things in an easy and fun way. She does not outline activities for parents and child to sit at a table and drill. Rather, she describes a picturesque setting, where parents and children talk back-and-forth - from infancy. Where parents and children engage in conversation about the words and letters in their natural environment. Where parents and children curl up together to share a book - even if all the child wants to do is chew on the pages! I loved this book and my mind is just spinning with ways our ECSE program in Hudson can reach out to more parents and children and promote these skills.
Reading is a complex process. It is definitely more than just putting letters together to make a word and then understanding what you read. However, parents play a huge role in providing some of the beginning skills for children before they even enter school. Payne provides a roadmap for how to do these things in an easy and fun way. She does not outline activities for parents and child to sit at a table and drill. Rather, she describes a picturesque setting, where parents and children talk back-and-forth - from infancy. Where parents and children engage in conversation about the words and letters in their natural environment. Where parents and children curl up together to share a book - even if all the child wants to do is chew on the pages! I loved this book and my mind is just spinning with ways our ECSE program in Hudson can reach out to more parents and children and promote these skills.
July 12, 2023
Out of everything I read/listened to about the virtues of reading out loud to small kids, this book was the most actionable, practical, and encouraging for a parent in my season of life (4 under 4). I appreciated that the author focused on more than just reading, though featured it as important for development. The book also had journal prompts at the end that I haven't done yet, but highlighted to revisit later. It's been good to have fire in the bones to read out loud more, but this book puts boots on the ground for the practice.
March 20, 2023
Reading for Our Lives is truly an action plan with lots of helps, games, strategies, statistics, etc. to help a busy parent or caregiver raise a good reader.
This book is best for reading early in your parenting days to maximize literacy benefits in a child’s life. Smart gives the reader a strong understanding of how language acquisition affects our ability to understand the written word. I was shocked at how much early oral language contributes to literacy.
Extra Goodness:
I loved the opening quotes at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the “Try This at Home” and “Journal Prompt” sections at the end of each chapter.
This book is best for reading early in your parenting days to maximize literacy benefits in a child’s life. Smart gives the reader a strong understanding of how language acquisition affects our ability to understand the written word. I was shocked at how much early oral language contributes to literacy.
Extra Goodness:
I loved the opening quotes at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the “Try This at Home” and “Journal Prompt” sections at the end of each chapter.
February 29, 2024
A must read for anyone that interacts with babies- young children!! So much great information and step by step instructions on how parents/caregivers can start laying a strong literacy foundation with their children starting in infancy and through early childhood.
July 3, 2025
I've highlighted and annotated this short book to bits. This is essential reading for any children's librarian, preschool teacher, and parent/caregiver to a young child. I will be returning to it again and again for my own early literacy takeaways and to strengthen my early literacy programs. Highly recommend.
August 7, 2022
Fantastic resource with direct, easy-to-absorb writing. The science may be dense, but Smart makes it accessible. This is a must-have for young parents to impress upon them both the urgency of the literacy crisis facing the United States and the ways we can address it--beginning at home. This is doable, helpful information every parent should have, and the recommendations encourage not only literacy, but brain building, in addition to fostering intimacy between parent and child. The advice is easy, the skills are necessary, and this book is a road map for parents who want to set up their child for success but don't want to ruin their own lives while doing so. Great baby shower gift (along with a copy of Pat the Bunny, I'd suggest). Audiobook is a great option, too!
August 12, 2024
3.5 stars. I liked some of it. I felt like portions of it could fuel unnecessary panic, but other parts could be very helpful. Overall not my favorite book on literacy and reading to children. Definitely more appropriate for/geared towards those who use the public school system.
October 28, 2022
This is a book written for parents who read parenting books and doesn't offer solutions for school-dependent children. That said, it's a solid, well-researched and accessible resource. Smart provides clear explanations of what the research shows about how foundational reading skills develop, lists of developmental milestones to be aware of and lots of bite-sized actions parents can take to nurture literacy development in the early years. I think it would also make an excellent resource for pediatricians, childcare providers, early childhood educators and anyone else who councils parents on early childhood development.
I especially appreciated the final chapter and the conclusion. The final chapter sheds light on the education research process and how parents might continue to educate themselves. The conclusion is a call to action; it acknowledges that those who have the bandwith to read parenting books also tend to have resources they can leverage to improve literacy outcomes in their communities.
I especially appreciated the final chapter and the conclusion. The final chapter sheds light on the education research process and how parents might continue to educate themselves. The conclusion is a call to action; it acknowledges that those who have the bandwith to read parenting books also tend to have resources they can leverage to improve literacy outcomes in their communities.
Read
December 28, 2022I don’t know how to rate these type of books. But I’ll say a few things.
I would love if my boys loved reading as much as I do. I would love for them to be stronger readers than I am. And I would love to give them the confidence to read out loud when the time comes because I never had that confidence and was the kid who stumbled through reading out loud.
This book gives you some really good tips and I have already started using them with my oldest. And really trying with my youngest. She had me thinking a lot about the type of education I would like for my boys.
So I guess if I were to rate this book it would be a 4 or 5. It’s what I needed.
I would love if my boys loved reading as much as I do. I would love for them to be stronger readers than I am. And I would love to give them the confidence to read out loud when the time comes because I never had that confidence and was the kid who stumbled through reading out loud.
This book gives you some really good tips and I have already started using them with my oldest. And really trying with my youngest. She had me thinking a lot about the type of education I would like for my boys.
So I guess if I were to rate this book it would be a 4 or 5. It’s what I needed.
September 29, 2025
A very helpful resource for anyone looking to support their child's literacy growth in the first few years of life (and beyond). A lot of the content was familiar and redundant to my own literacy background knowledge, but I would definitely recommend this as a starting point for parents who have no idea where to begin when it comes to Science of Reading aligned early literacy strategies to engage with their 0-5 year olds. A very accesible read.
January 12, 2026
This is a fantastic book to help parents and anyone involved with small children develop their reading skills. It's also the best book I've read with potential to produce critical thinkers.
This highly readable text provides steps from birth onwards to help parents of young children, including specific prompts to guide their efforts. I read it as a lifelong advocate for literacy and improved reading skills. There's a lot here that's familiar to me as parent and a passionate reader of bedtime stories. Unsurprised by the suggestion that reading aloud is not the first, last and best way to help guide children in their 21 century reading skills, I was impressed with the options presented.
There are good arguments for books with evidence-based research and resources: Keep learning to help your children learn. My first action: I'll start gifting this helpful book to new parents, along with one or two of my favourite read-aloud books to cover the bases for the lifelong gift and power of reading.
I may even buy a copy for my own shelves.
This highly readable text provides steps from birth onwards to help parents of young children, including specific prompts to guide their efforts. I read it as a lifelong advocate for literacy and improved reading skills. There's a lot here that's familiar to me as parent and a passionate reader of bedtime stories. Unsurprised by the suggestion that reading aloud is not the first, last and best way to help guide children in their 21 century reading skills, I was impressed with the options presented.
There are good arguments for books with evidence-based research and resources: Keep learning to help your children learn. My first action: I'll start gifting this helpful book to new parents, along with one or two of my favourite read-aloud books to cover the bases for the lifelong gift and power of reading.
I may even buy a copy for my own shelves.
March 1, 2023
Not the book’s fault, but it’s rather centered on english language and the US education system - the rest of it which benefits the reader in our longitude and latitude falls under “could have been an article”.
The one fun fact I took away from it (hopefully not too abridged or mangled) is that having many back and forth interactions with your little ones, even before they speak, might be a better predictor for literacy than bedside reading.
The one fun fact I took away from it (hopefully not too abridged or mangled) is that having many back and forth interactions with your little ones, even before they speak, might be a better predictor for literacy than bedside reading.
November 27, 2022
Basicqlly talk to your kids all the time
March 14, 2023
Very happy for this unexpected gift. A great read for parents and teachers. Written for parents as an easily digestible and actionable book to support a child’s reading development from the start. An excellent bridge for teachers to use with parents to show the complexity of becoming a reader and the need for parents to participate and how. As an educator, I appreciated the way Smart shows the vastness of becoming a reader and that I do not have to shoulder the burden alone in one year of teaching. Rather, I can use Smart’s teaching to support and guide families in their responsibility to this huge endeavor.
December 31, 2022
Okay, I juuusssttttt finished this book to meet my goodreads goal! But seriously, I kept putting this book off because you know, other books, but then I panicked because what if I miss my window to make my children the worldly and literate kids that obviously I strive for (Shelby who read There is no such thing as bad weather would be ASHAMED) but anywhere he we are.
This book suffers from the typical affliction that I have noticed with books directed towards parents, which is that it is privileged and privileged and privileged. This woman actually suggested taking out a high interest loan to pay for private education for your children via preschool tutors or private schools....like??? Excuse me? And I get it, literacy is so important (actually the statistics about how illiterate the US population is, though unsurprising (*cough trump/qanon cough*) was staggering) but saying that it is the most important thing, and that you need to be spending as much time as possible focused on it was a little much. I'm sorry but parents working two jobs or single parents, or parents just working one tough ass job or maybe money is tight, its just not going to be as much of a priority as feeding them and making sure they are safe. The author does a good job of mentioning the struggles of making this happen and that she gets it, sometimes it just won't, but the tone of the book is obvious, if you can't make this happen you need to try harder.
The tips she gives throughout are helpful, I was very happy to realize as I read this goal my daughter was meeting the milestones, plus some of the older age groups, and that also the things my husband and I focused on since birth have lined up with what is recommended (talking, talking, singing, playing, talking!) I loved the prompts it provided though, that could help create more engaged conversations, and helpful tips on reading and spelling and letter sounds and things like that. It was clearly helpful and I am better off having read this.
I just wish that someone would write a parenting book that was a bit more realistic about the amount of time parents have to give their kids after working, feeding, bathing, outside time, etc... to do things like this. Like, I get 3 hours a night with my kids when I come home from work, it is NOT enough. (though this goes to the face that we live in a capitalist hell hole and I'm just waiting for gen z to save us all from ourselves).
But yeah, it makes it seem very dire and that your child will test negatively forever if you don't do all these things, and yeah it will help, but also I want more information. Its like breastfeeding, yeah kids who are breastfed a year end up being healthier, better weight, 'smarter' etc... but you know what kind of parents can breastfeed an entire year? mothers who either don't work or work jobs that support pumping (so not any customer service, or blue collar jobs). Those mothers tend to be wealthier, wealthier people can hire tutors and nannys and private schools, they can get better food cooked, they have more time on their hands etc... so yeah maybe when all those things come into play those kids will be 'smarter' healthier weight, etc... I got off topic. Read and talk to your kids, engage with them, meet them where they are, love them, make them feel safe.
This book suffers from the typical affliction that I have noticed with books directed towards parents, which is that it is privileged and privileged and privileged. This woman actually suggested taking out a high interest loan to pay for private education for your children via preschool tutors or private schools....like??? Excuse me? And I get it, literacy is so important (actually the statistics about how illiterate the US population is, though unsurprising (*cough trump/qanon cough*) was staggering) but saying that it is the most important thing, and that you need to be spending as much time as possible focused on it was a little much. I'm sorry but parents working two jobs or single parents, or parents just working one tough ass job or maybe money is tight, its just not going to be as much of a priority as feeding them and making sure they are safe. The author does a good job of mentioning the struggles of making this happen and that she gets it, sometimes it just won't, but the tone of the book is obvious, if you can't make this happen you need to try harder.
The tips she gives throughout are helpful, I was very happy to realize as I read this goal my daughter was meeting the milestones, plus some of the older age groups, and that also the things my husband and I focused on since birth have lined up with what is recommended (talking, talking, singing, playing, talking!) I loved the prompts it provided though, that could help create more engaged conversations, and helpful tips on reading and spelling and letter sounds and things like that. It was clearly helpful and I am better off having read this.
I just wish that someone would write a parenting book that was a bit more realistic about the amount of time parents have to give their kids after working, feeding, bathing, outside time, etc... to do things like this. Like, I get 3 hours a night with my kids when I come home from work, it is NOT enough. (though this goes to the face that we live in a capitalist hell hole and I'm just waiting for gen z to save us all from ourselves).
But yeah, it makes it seem very dire and that your child will test negatively forever if you don't do all these things, and yeah it will help, but also I want more information. Its like breastfeeding, yeah kids who are breastfed a year end up being healthier, better weight, 'smarter' etc... but you know what kind of parents can breastfeed an entire year? mothers who either don't work or work jobs that support pumping (so not any customer service, or blue collar jobs). Those mothers tend to be wealthier, wealthier people can hire tutors and nannys and private schools, they can get better food cooked, they have more time on their hands etc... so yeah maybe when all those things come into play those kids will be 'smarter' healthier weight, etc... I got off topic. Read and talk to your kids, engage with them, meet them where they are, love them, make them feel safe.
September 19, 2023
Good for any parent who doesn't already have teaching experience. I knew most of the information already, but that's no fault of the author. I would've like more data and studies to be included but there are tons of great examples and easy to follow activities for parents to do.
August 18, 2024
I saw Maya Payne Smart give a talk at the Wisconsin Book Festival a couple of years ago and bought a signed copy of Reading for Our Lives from her then. The talk was great, and it motivated me to want to learn more about childhood literacy.
Now that I'm expecting my first child, I thought I would get around to reading this book. For some reason, I thought this book was going to be more about raising kids who love to read, but it's more about the actual learning-to-read process and how to make sure your kids don't fall behind. I don't know why that was a surprise, because that's exactly what Smart's talk was about.
Nevertheless, there was some useful information about childhood literacy here, especially in the middle chapters, where she dives into the actual mechanics of reading education. In those chapters, she provides lots of examples of how to work with your kids to naturally incorporate the building blocks of reading from as early as birth (without simply drilling them about their ABCs).
I appreciated that Smart included some context around literacy and people of color, particularly how black people in the US have historically been kept from higher achievement through lack of access to literacy. For example, in the chapter on learning letter names, she points out that enslaved people were not allowed to learn letters, and learning to read was often severely punished. There's a direct line between this history and the present day; I remember much of her book festival talk being about the alarming statistics in reading gaps between black and white children. While the book is not explicitly about this topic, the history lessons did not feel out of place or preachy. Instead, they served to underline her point about how important literacy is for all children.
Unfortunately, outside of the middle section of the book, the rest of the chapters felt like filler. Even within the "good bits", the writing felt too wordy, like she was making the same point over and over. I understand that you have to write something book-length in order to sell it to the general public, but most of the really relevant content could have been 4-5 good blog posts instead. For this reason, the book was a bit of a slog, and I'm giving it 3 stars overall for the overall reading experience.
Now that I'm expecting my first child, I thought I would get around to reading this book. For some reason, I thought this book was going to be more about raising kids who love to read, but it's more about the actual learning-to-read process and how to make sure your kids don't fall behind. I don't know why that was a surprise, because that's exactly what Smart's talk was about.
Nevertheless, there was some useful information about childhood literacy here, especially in the middle chapters, where she dives into the actual mechanics of reading education. In those chapters, she provides lots of examples of how to work with your kids to naturally incorporate the building blocks of reading from as early as birth (without simply drilling them about their ABCs).
I appreciated that Smart included some context around literacy and people of color, particularly how black people in the US have historically been kept from higher achievement through lack of access to literacy. For example, in the chapter on learning letter names, she points out that enslaved people were not allowed to learn letters, and learning to read was often severely punished. There's a direct line between this history and the present day; I remember much of her book festival talk being about the alarming statistics in reading gaps between black and white children. While the book is not explicitly about this topic, the history lessons did not feel out of place or preachy. Instead, they served to underline her point about how important literacy is for all children.
Unfortunately, outside of the middle section of the book, the rest of the chapters felt like filler. Even within the "good bits", the writing felt too wordy, like she was making the same point over and over. I understand that you have to write something book-length in order to sell it to the general public, but most of the really relevant content could have been 4-5 good blog posts instead. For this reason, the book was a bit of a slog, and I'm giving it 3 stars overall for the overall reading experience.
January 28, 2023
I am not even a parent (an educator), and I found this book very insightful and motivating.
There is an excellent combination of literacy advice - how to teach phonics to your child - along with life hacks such as establishing pegs in time to secure a routine or exact words for praising your child.
I found THREE main ideas that kept coming up over and over:
- start early
- do a little bit of what works
- stay consistent
I will provide a few amazing quotes from the book that I want to share here, hoping it will help some parents.
Newborns distinguished and reacted differently to vowel sounds from their native (familiar) language - they’ve heard those sounds in the womb.
Your choice of Books is NOT as important as making a choice to read to your baby on a regular basis.
Susan Newman - an NYU professor “ quit before they get restless. You end at the crest of the wave”
One study found evidence that when moms directed more questions to their 10 - months - olds while reading stories, their children had better expressive and receptive language skills at 18 months old than children whose mothers directed fewer questions to them.
There is evidence that pointing to words on the page increases the time 3-to-5-year olds look at print (versus illustrations) in picture books.
There is an excellent combination of literacy advice - how to teach phonics to your child - along with life hacks such as establishing pegs in time to secure a routine or exact words for praising your child.
I found THREE main ideas that kept coming up over and over:
- start early
- do a little bit of what works
- stay consistent
I will provide a few amazing quotes from the book that I want to share here, hoping it will help some parents.
Newborns distinguished and reacted differently to vowel sounds from their native (familiar) language - they’ve heard those sounds in the womb.
Your choice of Books is NOT as important as making a choice to read to your baby on a regular basis.
Susan Newman - an NYU professor “ quit before they get restless. You end at the crest of the wave”
One study found evidence that when moms directed more questions to their 10 - months - olds while reading stories, their children had better expressive and receptive language skills at 18 months old than children whose mothers directed fewer questions to them.
There is evidence that pointing to words on the page increases the time 3-to-5-year olds look at print (versus illustrations) in picture books.
January 4, 2023
Reading for Our Lives is a comprehensive and well-researched book that’s geared toward parents. But it’s not light reading, nor is it intended to be for such a serious subject. The fact that its audience is parents is both a strength and a downfall. In my work as a literacy advocate, I can’t think of a single parent who would read this book from cover to cover as I did because it reads like a textbook. As the author herself said, the audio book may be a better option. But somehow, someway, all parents need to understand how powerful they are in raising their children to become readers. Despite its academic bent, I found the book to be practical because Smart gives examples and activities for each topic.
I jotted down so many notes and quotes from the book that it’s hard to share only one. But I’ll sum up with this one from Smart because it relates to the education crisis we are seeing in kids today.
“Only time can reveal the costs of being unable to rise to the ever-higher levels of reading and writing required to navigate our global, tech-driven society.”
I agree with Smart when she urges parents to have “clarity of purpose “ on how to raise a reader. She says when parents focus on reading they are “building the skill that supports all others.”
I jotted down so many notes and quotes from the book that it’s hard to share only one. But I’ll sum up with this one from Smart because it relates to the education crisis we are seeing in kids today.
“Only time can reveal the costs of being unable to rise to the ever-higher levels of reading and writing required to navigate our global, tech-driven society.”
I agree with Smart when she urges parents to have “clarity of purpose “ on how to raise a reader. She says when parents focus on reading they are “building the skill that supports all others.”
September 14, 2022
The biggest suggestion represented here is to TALK to your child when he is a baby and, as much as possible, make it a dialogue. As someone who talks to all pets (and sometimes inanimate objects 🤣) I thought this was a little bit obvious. That was just my style in interacting with my kids, and apparently there is actual cognitive benefit to this dialogue approach.
Had I read this as a new mom or before having kids it would definitely change my perspective on how to engage with reading. It does feel like expectations for children entering kindergarten have gotten much higher and even though we had done a lot of the things mentioned in this book, we still felt a little unsure about if they were as prepared as possible. This book makes it clear about what milestones you are working towards and offers things to do at home.
One tangent I found super interesting was the “parenting daily hassles” quiz. I actually found this online, took it, and it felt a little validated that parenting at our house is hard work! (https://www.oscb.org.uk/wp-content/up...)
Had I read this as a new mom or before having kids it would definitely change my perspective on how to engage with reading. It does feel like expectations for children entering kindergarten have gotten much higher and even though we had done a lot of the things mentioned in this book, we still felt a little unsure about if they were as prepared as possible. This book makes it clear about what milestones you are working towards and offers things to do at home.
One tangent I found super interesting was the “parenting daily hassles” quiz. I actually found this online, took it, and it felt a little validated that parenting at our house is hard work! (https://www.oscb.org.uk/wp-content/up...)
September 2, 2022
This book was filled with concrete ideas and empowering advice for how to teach one's own child to read, and why this is absolutely critical in our current educational system. I learned a LOT, and I found it very interesting reading. This book makes me want to become a Reading Specialist, though I'm not sure if that is the path I will take.
This book also helped me better understand how to consider the world of academia as an individual, a parent, and a librarian-- to see that new research continues to make the world clearer. Ms. Smart helps the reader to not feel overwhelmed, but instead to break the highly confusing and marketing heavy world of educational materials into what is really useful and critical for kids.
I am very interested in how I can continue to digest this work to advocate for my son, as well as provide explicit instruction and support for families in the library where I work and as the librarian I hope to someday be.
This book also helped me better understand how to consider the world of academia as an individual, a parent, and a librarian-- to see that new research continues to make the world clearer. Ms. Smart helps the reader to not feel overwhelmed, but instead to break the highly confusing and marketing heavy world of educational materials into what is really useful and critical for kids.
I am very interested in how I can continue to digest this work to advocate for my son, as well as provide explicit instruction and support for families in the library where I work and as the librarian I hope to someday be.
January 5, 2025
The book is thoroughly researched and rich in practical tips for building up literacy skills for children raised in the US educational system. You never doubt the validity of insights.
It is very extensive though - and doesn’t prioritize (eg if you have 20 mins per child per day do this one thing) so at some point it starts feeling impractical as you really need to be full time educator to institute all the tips (eg daily journaling, following latest research, custom exercises depending on your child’s needs and progress) even with one child, let alone if you have more than one. It also doesn’t do anything to help with “real life situations” eg children rejecting certain kinds of exercises, losing interest fast, etc.
So all in all, some good reminders to stay as engaged as you can and maybe a nudge to try following at least some of the tips is better than getting overwhelmed and doing none.
It is very extensive though - and doesn’t prioritize (eg if you have 20 mins per child per day do this one thing) so at some point it starts feeling impractical as you really need to be full time educator to institute all the tips (eg daily journaling, following latest research, custom exercises depending on your child’s needs and progress) even with one child, let alone if you have more than one. It also doesn’t do anything to help with “real life situations” eg children rejecting certain kinds of exercises, losing interest fast, etc.
So all in all, some good reminders to stay as engaged as you can and maybe a nudge to try following at least some of the tips is better than getting overwhelmed and doing none.
November 3, 2022
My only complaint about this book is that it didn't exist in 2018/2019, when I could have read it before my daughter arrived. I've known the importance of literacy for kids, and the importance of reading to children, even those so young they don't really understand what they're hearing yet; but this book offered additional information I wouldn't have considered - such as the importance of not just talking to your baby but a dialogue with your baby - as well as guidance on working with your kids to learn to identify letters and the sounds they make. It's an accessible book with practical advice about incorporating easy approaches into your daily activity to promote literacy for your little one.
The copy I read was a library copy, but I'm planning to buy a copy to keep - as well as making it a gift for any friend who is expecting.
The copy I read was a library copy, but I'm planning to buy a copy to keep - as well as making it a gift for any friend who is expecting.
June 23, 2023
I don't know why it has taken me so long to read this book.....I have had it for six months before I even started it. Because it really is a great one about my job--early learning education--and why I do what I do.
Granted I knew most of the information but I LOVED all of the elements of ECRTR, the importance of serve and return, all the type of things that I know are so important for learning to read, talk, spell, etc. This book is perfect for those who have little ones and might be in the weeds =)
What I did appreciate was the reminder that milestones are guidelines and do not apply to every single child. Because I have a twenty month old who isn't as verbal as I would expect (especially because I do all the talking, we read books, I engage in conversation).
I will recommend this book to those in the early learning field that is for sure
Granted I knew most of the information but I LOVED all of the elements of ECRTR, the importance of serve and return, all the type of things that I know are so important for learning to read, talk, spell, etc. This book is perfect for those who have little ones and might be in the weeds =)
What I did appreciate was the reminder that milestones are guidelines and do not apply to every single child. Because I have a twenty month old who isn't as verbal as I would expect (especially because I do all the talking, we read books, I engage in conversation).
I will recommend this book to those in the early learning field that is for sure
April 8, 2024
This is the most thorough book I have read so far regarding raising a reader. Other books I have read are full of the same cliches and common sense advice, but this author has clearly spent a lot of time researching the subject and finding new insights. Not only is she more thorough regarding the science behind a child's language development, but she suggests dozens of concrete practical ways to support your child's language skills beyond just reading at bedtime. Focusing on conversation with your child from the very beginning, playing games that encourage letter recognition, and casual descriptions of letters and words can go a long way toward improving your child's future literacy. Pick up this book.
June 12, 2025
Das Buch enthält einige hilfreiche Tipps. Man könnte diese aber auch gut auf einen Blogeintrag zusammendampfen.
Was ich als nervig empfunden habe, ist der Ton des Buches, zumindest stellenweise. Im Vordergrund steht überwiegend eine Leistungsgedanke: Was muss ein Kind in welchem Alter können? Was muss (!) man als Eltern mit den Kindern üben? Usw. Dagegen bekommt der Spaß am Lesen zu wenig Raum. Ich verstehe, dass Lesen eine Schlüsselfähigkeit für die selbständige Aneignung von Bildung ist, und somit Priorität haben sollte. Bei dem Titel Reading For Our Lives hätte ich aber erwartet, dass man vor allem die Freude am Lesen vermittelt. Denn nur wenn Lesen Freude macht, wird es eine lebenslange Gewohnheit bleiben.
Was ich als nervig empfunden habe, ist der Ton des Buches, zumindest stellenweise. Im Vordergrund steht überwiegend eine Leistungsgedanke: Was muss ein Kind in welchem Alter können? Was muss (!) man als Eltern mit den Kindern üben? Usw. Dagegen bekommt der Spaß am Lesen zu wenig Raum. Ich verstehe, dass Lesen eine Schlüsselfähigkeit für die selbständige Aneignung von Bildung ist, und somit Priorität haben sollte. Bei dem Titel Reading For Our Lives hätte ich aber erwartet, dass man vor allem die Freude am Lesen vermittelt. Denn nur wenn Lesen Freude macht, wird es eine lebenslange Gewohnheit bleiben.
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