Books for Dialogic Reading with 2 to 4 Year Olds

If you're choosing a book with rich dialogic reading opportunities with 2 to 4 years olds consider the following points:

1. Is this a book that is of strong interest to the child?
2. Does it present plenty of question and answer opportunities?
3. Will the illustrations catch the child's attention?

Here are some suggestions;

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar 
 by Eric Carle 

Watch with your child as the caterpillar grows and eats until...surprise!

2. Chalk
by Bill Thomson

A delightful picture book based on the drawings of a little boy with magic chalk.

3. Are You a Ladybug ?
by Judy allen and Tudor Humphries


A fun little book about the life cycle of the ladybug.









4. Jacks House

by Karen Magnuson Beil, Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka


Watch a house being built by dogs as they help their human.








5. Blue Hat, Green Hat

by Sandra Boynton

A delightful tale with bright colors, lots of funny pictures and giggles all around.







6. Opposites

by Sandra Boynton

Explore opposties with a young reader and laugh together at the humorous illustrations.




7.The Cat in the Hat
  by Dr. Suess
 A children's classic  to be enjoyed by the next generation.

8. Clip Clop
by Nicola Smee

a pony takes his friends for a ride. A great way to talk about animal
names and noises. Prompt discussion about fast as slow and stop
as the pony gallops with his happy friends on board before
stopping, uh oh!



9. I Know a Hippo
By Charles Fuge

A young child plays with all her imaginary friends.
The whimsical illlustrations provide lots of material for     
child and reader to explore. 






10.  Hands Can
by Cheryl Willis Hudson

Photographs by John-Francis Bourke

What can your hands do? Bright happy photos of children using their hands to play ball, and wave good bye. 









11. The Treasure Bath 

by Dan Andreasen     (age range 2-6)


A delightful wordless book about a little boy and his bath. Watch as a chore turns into a fun time.






12. The Colors 
 by Monique Felix     (Age range 4-6)
Learn colors by following the mouse through the book.
 







13. Tracy’s Mess  
by Elise Peterson. 
Illustrated by Iza Peterson   (Age range 3-7)



Cleaning your room is never fun.  Enjoy this funny story about a little girl's efforts to do just that.




 





14. The way I feel  
written and  illustrated by Janan Cain     (Age range 2-8)


Wonderful colors and silly sayings help children learn about feelings.  A good book for teaching about feelings as well as just having fun with. 








15. Frederick  

by Leo Lionni     (Age range 4-8)


 

Some resources for parents...

There are numerous resources for parents when it comes to learning about dialogic reading and reading to their children in general. The best known authority on reading out loud is undoubtable Jim Trelease. His book The Read-aloud Handbook is now in the sixth edition and still going strong. As an original proponent of reading out loud to small children as a means to improve thinking skills and communications, he made the ideas of reading out loud a more main stream concept. Since his start, more has been discussed about reading out loud and the best ways to use it as a tool.

Trelease, J. (2006). The Read-aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition New York: Penguin.

Fox, M. (2008). Reading magic: Why reading aloud to our children will change their lives forever. New York: Mariner Books


These sites can be helpful to parents who are interested in learning more about the theories and ideas behind dialogic reading. Several tips are available to help parents or caregivers in addition to book suggestions, how to videos and additional information via links or books.


http://www.readingrockets.org/ This site has articles and information on dialogic reading. How to videos are included for parents who want a visual reference.


http://www.helium.com/items/1506332-what-is-dialogic-reading
A simple description and outline of how dialogic reading works, this article is clear and easy to understand.

http://blog.kidobi.com/index.php/literacy/dialogic-reading-how-to-make-the-most-of-story-time/
This article is an outline geared more toward educators with basic information on the how, why and benefits  of dialogic reading

http://www.kcls.org/parents/kidsandreading/readytoread/booklists.cfm#tipreading The link takes the parent or caregiver to a site in the King County Library system that provides tips on reading out loud, books to read for different ages, finger plays and songs for having a fun time incorporating dialogic reading into every day activities.

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/ecrr/researcha/researchbyagelevel/agetwotothree/agetwotothree.cfm
http://www.walearning.com/products/language-is-the-key/dialogic-reading/

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References

Carter, D., Chard, D., & Pool, J. (2009). A Family Strengths Approach to Early Language and Literacy Development. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(6), 519-526. doi:10.1007/s10643-009-0312-5.

http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=40529733&site=ehost-live

Doyle, B. G. & Bramwell, W. (2006). Promoting emergent literacy and social-emotional learning through dialogic reading. The Reading Teacher, 59(6), 554-564.  Retrieved September 21, 2010, from Arts & Humanities Full Text. (Document ID: 1012871581).

http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1012871581&sid=6&Fmt=4&clientId=17867&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Fielding-Barnsley, R., & Purdie, N. (2003). Early intervention in the home for children at risk of reading failure. Support for Learning, 18(2), 77-82. doi:10.1111/1467-9604.00284.

http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9734370&site=ehost-live

Kotaman, H. (2008). IMPACTS OF DIALOGICAL STORYBOOK READING ON YOUNG CHILDREN'S READING ATTITUDES AND VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT. Reading Improvement, 45(2), 55-61. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=33228211&site=ehost-live&scope=site



Morgan, P., & Meier, C.. (2008). Dialogic Reading's Potential to Improve Children's Emergent Literacy Skills and Behavior. Preventing School Failure, 52(4), 11-16.  Retrieved September 21, 2010, from Alt-Press Watch (APW). (Document ID: 1548001861).

http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1548001861&sid=6&Fmt=3&        clientId=17867&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Whitehurst, G., & Lonigan, C. (1998). Child development and emergent literacy. Child Development, 69(3), 848. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=879724&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Wasik, B. A., & Bond, M. A. (2001). Beyond the pages of a book: Interactive book reading and language development in preschool classrooms. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93 (2), 243–250.