The Best Time to Read (Picture Book)

The little boy from The Best Place to Read can now read by himself, and he's looking for an audience. But everyone--his parents, siblings, grandparents, even his dog!--is too busy to hear a story in this fun and lively tale. When our young reader finally settles in to read to his toys, he gets a surprise visit and learns that the best time to read is whenever you have loved ones to listen! With catchy, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud--anytime!

PreSchool-Grade 2–A boy is excited about his newly acquired ability to read and wants to share a book aloud with someone in his family. He goes through the house and yard trying to find a listener, but everyone is busy and (unfortunately) caught in a stereotypical moment: Mom is cooking; Dad is mowing the lawn; Grandma is knitting; sister is in a quandary over what to wear; brother is at the computer; and Grandpa is napping. Just when he's about to give up and is resigned to read aloud to his stuffed animals, his family comes through. The computer-enhanced artwork gives the characters a shiny, plastic-doll appearance. This rhyming story is not about the magical connection between a reader and a wonderful book, but it speaks of reading as a social activity that involves love and fun, and that may be its strength.–Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA
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K-Gr. 2. A proud young boy who has just mastered reading tries to find someone to listen to him demonstrate his new talent. But Mom is making beef stew, Dad is mowing, big brother is at the computer, big sister is trying on clothes, and so on. No one has time to listen to him read--not even Rover, who bolts at the sound of kibble in his dish. However, no sooner does he go to his bedroom to read to his bunnies and bears than there's a knock on his door: his entire family is ready to listen. Like The Best Place to Read (2003), the authors' first book about reading, this is presented in rhyme. Collage-style illustrations use patterned backgrounds to backlight the wide-eyed, plasticine-like faces of the characters and capture the elation of that magic moment when the lightbulb clicks: "I can read all by myself!" Budding bibliophiles arise! Julie Cummins
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