Wow! I'm Reading!

Fun Activities to Make Reading Happen

Young children can’t wait to learn to read and write. The literacy activities in Hauser’s book will “make reading happen,” through a variety of activities.

Written with kid appeal, the activities and games are presented by specific skill, and are presented in order from pre-reading to reading informational text. Sequencing and sentence awareness, letter sounds, the understanding that letters make words, letter recognition and phonics are the skills beginning readers need to practice and master, and activities such as Sequence Crown, Syllable Sam, Know These Words!, Eating the Alphabet, and Focus on Phonics will teach and reinforce skills. For children who are reading, writing activities such as Wild, Wacky Writing and Huff-and-Puff Science, which uses informational text, go beyond the printed page and interests the imagination.

For parents, informational sidebars are presented with each activity. Reading Zone includes book titles that reinforce the skill presented. Teaching Time provides an explanation as to why a particular skill is taught and how that skill contributes to the learning process. State Standards Say lets parents know that national literacy standards are being met through each activity. Additionally, when materials are needed, a supply list is given, including safety scissors. Finally, an appendix with a letter chart to promote proper formation of letters and alphabet lists concludes the book, which is indexed.

The many activities are designed to promote literacy and reading success, and while they may appear to be simple, research indicates that continual practice of skills is how children learn best. Parents and children will enjoy this book, and preschool and primary teachers will be able to use the activities in classrooms. Lifelong literacy skills begin here, and this is a wonderful tool to help parents and teachers show children the wonders of the printed word.

Reviewed by Tracy Fitzwater

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Load Next Review