Oregon's Family Reading Cafe

Suessical!

2006-04-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

Northwest Children's Theater and School Presents Seussical

When: May 5-28

Where: Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett Street, Portland

Tickets & Information: 503-222-4480 or www.nwcts.org

The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and all of the Whos in Whoville are lovingly brought to life in this fantastical, magical, musical menagerie fresh from the Broadway stage! From the works of Dr. Seuss, book by Lynn Aherns, Stephen Flaherty & Eric Idle, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Aherns. Portland favorite John Ellingson stars as The Cat in the Hat and NWCT's Sarah Jane Hardy directs.

Reading Resolutions: Give the Gift of Reading...for life

2005-12-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Families,
What's at the top of your new year's reading resolution list?

Here are my reading resolutions!
1. Learn to read in another language
2. Start a theme based annual book club*
3. Collect and distribute children books from friends for a local elementary school
4. Read the five books that mattered most to my mother and father
5. Read the five books that mattered most to my son

Suggested Themes:
Life in the sandwich lane-stories, essays and plays reflecting the experiences of raising children and caring for aging parents.
Dreams- Novels that inspire the pursuit of one's wildest dreams regardless of age or ability
Travels- Spend a year with friends traveling the world reading fantastic travel memoirs without security lines or lengthy lay overs!
Siblings and the like-Strengthen sibling ties, find a long lost beloved friend, read from a rich collection of strories, narratives and biographies that bridge your heart and mind.

Stay posted for a suggested reading list of books on each of these topics and please consider posting some of your own book ideas and theme suggestions too!

Above all else, enjoy the holidays and the sweetest new year!

May your family be blessed with love and health in the days ahead.

Warm wishes,
Ima Reader

Dr. Reader's Web Pick of the Month: The Children's Literature Web Guide

2005-11-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

This excellent web site is filled with resources for, families, children, educators, librarians, storytellers, writers and illustrators. This site was developed by David K. Brown, a children's librarian from the University of Calgary who, by his own admission, hopes readers will be tempted away from the internet and "back to the books themselves." Of special note is the Web Traveller's Toolkit where you will find a comprehensive list of award winning books from several countries, reading guides, internet book discussion groups, featured links to authors on the web and an Answer to a Teacher's Prayers.

Holiday Wrapping in Support of Family Reading

2005-11-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

The holiday season provides many opportunities to promote community involvment and participation in children, youth and family services. Across the nation retailers are partnering with local community organizaitons; wrapping presents for holiday shoppers, increasing public awareness and raising funds for a variety of needs. This season wrap an extra layer of support around your school efforts to increase family invovlement in reading education. From purchasing books for families in need or, funding an after school activity, or "friendraising" with other reading and literacy programs in your community--families and educators--enjoy a couple of hours together, wrapping presents and collecting donations to promote all children's reading improvement and success.

Dr. Reader's September Menu Selections

2005-09-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

For Younger Audiences

These book titles will be on your libary's shelves this Fall.

Bill Grossman, author of My Little Sister Ate One Hare, is back with
My Little Sister Hugged an Ape; a fun and wacky alphabet book.

And guess who has a movie deal?
The Curious George movie is set for release in February 2006 featuring the voices of Will Ferrell and Drew Barrymore. These forthcoming titles by Margret and H. A. Rey will no doubt add to the movie experience...

Curious George Learns to Count from 1-100
Curious George's Big Book of Curiosity and;
Curious George's First Day of School

Be one of the first to reserve a copy at your local library!
Visit your own branch library on line...

For Youth and Teens
This month's menu selection from Dr. Reader's "If you love Harry List" features...

Ursula K. Leguin (Portland, Oregon)

A Wizard of Earthsea (From an Amazon Review) is often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers. A great "coming of age" tale!

Learning Disabilities Online Resources

2005-09-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

LD Online
LD Online is an interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and children. LD OnLine is the official site of The Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities. LD Online provides articles on a wide range of topics, national calendar of events, network of resources, artwork and writings by children, parents, and other individuals, and much more.

Misunderstood Minds
PBS has created a companion Web site to the Misunderstood Minds special on learning differences. Within the site are stories from the show and information and resources for parents.

Schwablearning.org
SchwabLearning.org is a “parent’s guide to helping kids with learning difficulties” that emphasizes useful information and practical strategies for children in kindergarten through high school. With over 350 research based articles, resources, message boards, email newsletter and more, parents will find the guidance and support that they need.

SparkTop.org
SparkTop.org™ is the first website created expressly for kids with learning difficulties, including learning disabilities (LD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). By educating kids about learning, helping them recognize their strengths, showcasing their creativity and offering safe ways for kids to connect with one another, SparkTop.org can help children gain confidence and insight about themselves and how they learn.

The Hallowell Center
This Web site describes the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health, which specializes in the understanding and managing of attention deficits, worry/anxiety, and child and adult learning difficulties. The site offers informative articles and materials by Dr. Ned Hallowell.

The Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation
This Web site is dedicated to helping you learn about Ennis William Cosby, about the foundation established in his memory, and about learning and learning differences. The site offers resources and information on how parents and teachers can help individuals with learning differences. Information is also available about the new video "Ennis' Gift: A film about learning differences."

Upcoming "Hot Topics" Publication Dates

2005-09-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Families and Friends,

Beginning in October please visit the cafe for weekly "Hot Topic" selections in reading research, instruction and family activities.

October's menu includes:

Exploring the World of Words Through Touch, Sound and Movement
Brain Based Learning and Reading Development: Practical Insights from a Growing Science for Families and Communities
The Orange Box and Great American Childhood Tradtion: Remebering the Season of Imagination and Giving-Thematic Family Activities connecting children around the world and UNICEF's achievements.

With all the best wishes,
Dr. Ima Reader
Oregon Parent Training and Information Center

Between the Lions

2005-09-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

The following information is provided by the ALSC:

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, continues a collaborative effort with Between the Lions ™, a PBS children's series that aims to help teach children how to read. The series of 30 half-hour programs is named for a family of lions who run a library like no other on earth. The doors "between the lions" swing open to reveal a magical place where characters from books can pop off their pages and into the library when you least expect it. The backbone of the series is a comprehensive literacy curriculum, geared to beginning readers ages four to seven. Co-produced by WGBH Boston and Sirius Thinking, Ltd., Between the Lions combines puppetry, animation, live-action, and music to transform the sometimes-confusing process of learning how to read into an entertaining adventure for young children and their families.

BETWEEN THE LIONS is funded in part by a Ready to Learn Television Cooperative Agreement from the US Department of Education through the Public Broadcasting Service. National corporate sponsorship is provided by Chick-fil-A, Inc.

BETWEEN THE LIONS is produced by WGBH Boston and Sirius Thinking, Ltd., in association with Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Both WGBH and Sirius Thinking have proven track records for marrying educational goals with laugh-out-loud television.

BETWEEN THE LIONS is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation.

Every Child Ready To Read At Your Library

2005-09-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

ALSC and the Public Library Association (PLA) are working together on an early literacy initiative to prepare librarians to help children start school ready to learn. ALSC and PLA have incorporated the latest research in early literacy and brain development into a series of parent and caregiver workshops to provide libraries with vital tools to help prepare parents for their critical role as their child's first teacher. These tools were developed by Dr. Grover C. Whitehurst and Dr. Christopher Lonigan, well-known researchers in emergent literacy, and have been tested and refined by library demonstration sites around the country.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros: a celebration of children, families, and reading is held annually on April 30.

The celebration, held annually on April 30, emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for every child regardless of linguistic and cultural background. Through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Association for Library Service for Children (ALSC) continues to increase public awareness of this event in libraries throughout the country. ALSC continues to collaborate on this effort with the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA).

El 30 de abril es una fecha muy significativa para los niños. Se celebra el día de los niños y de los libros. Esta celebración se conoce como El día de los niños/ El día de los libros, y celebra la alegría y las maravillas de la infancia y la importancia de los libros en nuestra vida.

El incluir libros en esta festividad permite que las familias empiecen a adquirir nuevos hábitos que desarrollen en los niños el amor por los libros y por la lectura. Leer cuentos a los niños al menos veinte minutos al día puede convertirse en una tradición familiar. Los niños disfrutarán esta experiencia y crecerán amando y valorando los libros.

Recess! The World of Children's Culture Every Day

2005-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

The following commentary is extracted directly from the website:

"Recess!" is a daily, three-minute program for adults that explores the dynamic cultures of childhood, past and present, and around the world. We take you on this daily journey through biographical and historical notes, commentaries, audio essays, original stories, and reviews of the latest books, music, movies, television shows, and other media being produced for children. One of our listeners commented that our program "sounds like a New Yorker for kid's stuff." We were flattered to hear this, because, from the beginning, we've wanted "Recess!" to be a regular voice on public radio on behalf of children's culture and its vital, lasting importance."

As an educator, parent and life long learner, I would rate discovering this site as one of the greatest gifts I have ever received searching the web. A lovey three minute tribute to Fred Rogers is archived in the May 2004 transcripts and other exceptional treats.

Visit your public radio station (online)

2005-09-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

On the next rainy day when you need a virtuous distraction from paying bills, cleaning the house or starting to work-out, try instead a few moments visiting your local public radio station on the web. Not only will you be amazed at your listening choices rendered simply at the push of a button, but you may be equally amazed to find a virtual reading room like the one I found in New York City ("The Reading Room"). I couldn't resist spending hours listening to the author's interviews and readings. Unable to indulge listening to the radio during the day, I was able to tune in on my own time to the numerous authors whose readings sparked my desire to read more!

If your child loves to sit behind the computer more than you wish, why not introduce him/her to public radio, tv and or library web pages? Just be careful, once your sucked in, you may never want to leave! Enjoy some family listening!

National Braille Press and the "ReadBooks" Program

2005-09-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Since 2003 the National Braille Press has provided at no cost a thorough and inviting collection of early Braille literacy materials for young children with low vision/Blindness and their families. The following information is provided directly from their site:

National Braille Press, along with Seedlings Braille Books for Children, is distributing attractive braille book bags to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the country. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals.

Materials can be requested by families directly and were designed for use in the home.

Each bag contains:

An age-appropriate print/braille book for three age groups: birth-3, 4-5, and 6-7 in English or Spanish;
A braille primer for sighted parents entitled Just Enough to Know Better;
A colorful print/braille place mat;
Print/braille bookmarks;
Because Books Matter, a guide for parents on why and how to read books with their young blind child;
A gift coupon redeemable for another print/braille book or braille/large print playing cards;
Print/braille magnetic letters.

Participants (professional) in the program agree to:

Identify children who are potential braille readers, birth to seven, and their families;
Personally deliver the book bags or supply us with the mailing address for identified families in their state;
Help us to evaluate and improve the program.
For further information, please visit: http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/readbooks/index.html

Another exceptional Resource!
The Early Intervention Training Center for Infants and Toddlers with Vision Impairments

Based out of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institue, Deborah Hatton's superb work in this area includes family friendly training packets in communication and emergent literacy. Just click on the link above to view the site and obtain valuable resources.

PBS Parents and Adventures from the Book of Virtues

2005-08-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

PBS a mainstay of family learning pleasure and childhood memories has created a website just for parents to find learning activities the whole family can enjoy. Dr. Reader's recent favorite is "Adventures from the Book of Virtues" based on William Bennet's retelling of famous childhood stories. Dr. Reader highly recommends connecting family viewing of the cartoon adventures series with a family reading of Bennet's book to inspire conversation at the dinner table, on long car rides or at bedtime.

For even more family pleasure, consider interviewing your children about some the topics and issues explored in various stories and episodes. Tape record or keep a written record of your children's reflections and suprise them with these treasurable memories when they become adults.

The Joy of Reading

2005-08-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

I was seven years old. Running down the street. Stopping all my friends to show them my very own library card.

Our library was a small storefront building. On the right as you opened the door was a large dark wooden countertop desk. Opposite that was a tiny corner formed by bookcases that was labeled the children's room. Beyond that in the rear was the section of books for older readers and next to that a plain wooden table and four chairs where you could sit and read or take notes. The librarians were welcoming and helpful. It was the beginning of a life-long love affair with reading.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. That's why I was lucky to be attending school in the nineteen thirties. Even though it was the depth of the Depression and money was scarce, the government funded the arts and provided artists, writers and other creative people with stipends that helped them to survive the bad economy.

My school system in New York City was considered superior. Boys and girls transferred from other states were often put back grades because their states education system was not up to the standards in New York.

One way the school system encouraged reading was to employ a storytelling lady who visited each elementary school in our borough every three months. She was a woman of indeterminate age with round spots of rouge just below her bright blue eyes and a sweet disposition. We looked forward to seeing her and checking out of the library the books that her stories came from.
Growing up at this time books were purchased only to be given as gifts or to be awarded for scholastic achievement.

I received "Heidi" by Johana Spyri as a birthday present when I turned nine. I received "Eight Cousins" by Louisa May Alcott from the Mother's Club of P.S 62 in recognition of my being a good student. I received a "Book of Jewish Thoughts" for my confirmation. These books are still on my shelves, cherished by me always and kept in their original book jackets (See "My First Reading Teacher" By Dr. Ima Reader).

Reading widened my life. It brought me new friends, new experiences. Later in life when I had the opportunity to travel, I looked for the places that I once visited in books. Heidi's Switzerland, Emily Kimbrough's Paris and Cervantes' Spain. It deepened my appreciation of these trips.

When we started our first jobs after graduation, my fellow students and I used to gather on the steps of the Forty-Second Street Library under the gaze of the two stone lions, Patience and Fortitude who guarded the entrance.

Having spent so many hours of our college days inside, we were loath to give up those happy days.

But in 1965, reading became an even more personal search for the kindness and beauty in life.

One day, I was listening to WNYC and I heard a discussion of a book called "I and Thou" written by Martin Buber, a Philosopher who had been forced to leave Germany in 1938 and had settled in Israel and had become a Professor of Social Philosophy at Hebrew University. Several weeks later, I came across a dusty paperback with this title in a bookstore in Grand Central Station.

I opened it and began to read the first few pages as I waited for the train to leave the station. It was difficult to understand and my concentration having become quite rusty since graduation, I closed the book and didn't open it again until 1967.

This time I persevered through at least half of the pages and as the style became more familiar, I began to absorb the message.

From that time on it was if I had swallowed a magic elixir and I could not ever drink my fill. I searched out and read and re-read thirty volumes of Buber's work. Sometimes the words brought tears to my eyes but there was always joy in my heart.

I shared with Buber the loneliness of coming from a home broken by divorce. But instead of my feelings of self-pity, he had turned his love outward and made his life a thing of beauty.

I wished that I could have expressed my affection for Martin Buber during his lifetime but I cam to his books to late.

The last paragraph of his obituary in the New York Times in 1965 contained these words: "Because Martin Buber lived, there is more love in the world than there would have been without him. And for him that was the reason above all others for gift of life."

This was only the beginning. I read on hundred books by other authors on the gentle, mystical side of my religion. Each one taking me further into a world that brings joy into every day. If I had not been able to read these books, how dismal life would be. How sad. How meaningless.

One of the greatest joys of reading comes from sharing the written word with others. In the 1970's, my daughter's elementary school principal invited parents to speak to the students. I volunteered to demonstrate Braille, a system of raised dots that enables people with Low Vision/Blindness to read. It fascinated the boys and girls and subtly delivered the message of how reading was something to be pursued in every way by everyone.

My mother and I shared in the joyous idea of literacy for all. Well into her late seventies, Mother volunteered in New York City public schools as a reading tutor and became a regular volunteer reader for The National Recording for the Blind (Now the National Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic). Following her grandmother's example, my daughter became a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and a special educator.

Today as a senior citizen, I have been guided by my grandmother's example; education needn't end with the adolescent years. My grandmother attended night school in her later years, which provided me with the greatest lesson of all. Reading is the elixir of life, it fulfills our generational dreams.

If you struggle with reading, please do not despair. There are many programs in the your city and state to help chart your way. Indeed, no matter how old you are, it is never too late to discover the joy in reading and the deeper pleasures of sharing your joy with others.

About the Author:
Doris K. Caplan, and her husband Stanley live in Connecticut. They have two grown children, both avid readers and a grandson attending college who enjoys “down loading" audio books for pleasure.

Mrs. Caplan, relishes older forms of technology. Keeping the sounds of the typewriter alive, she clicks away on the typewriter of her children's youth used to produce this article. Cartoon clippings of "Snoopy the Writer" remain a steady source of inspiration during episodic periods of "writer's block."

Snoopy's lesson: A true friend hangs with the birds on top of his dog house instead of waiting for them to knock at the door.

"Ask Dr. Reader" is here!

2005-07-31T20:19:00.000-07:00

Dr. Reader looks forward to answering all your family reading questions!
We believe all children are "At Promise" for a life of reading joy, development and the potential to achieve. Therefore, we created this cafe for you! Come on in, ask questions and discover the wonders of journeying towards reading achievement with your child and his/her friends!
Check weekly for newly featured items such as; book reviews, family/holiday reading activities, reading and writing games, and a host of exciting opportunities to connect with other families, educators and community members in your local area.

Among a broad range of topics Dr. Reader covers:
Reading together for fun
Family Read Aloud activities
What to do when you have concerns about your child's reading development
Connections between reading, academic and youth development
Assistive technologies
Community Resources

In reading joy and service,
Dr. Ima Reader

My First Reading Teacher

2005-07-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

I can still smell the first "chapter book" I ever read. Sitting besides my mother, on a lazy summer day I don't recall if I read independently, nevertheless, I had long since become a reader. Thus my mother began to turn the pages of her well preserved childhood treasure; Heidi on the Mountain.

My books, well, they were something quite different, some had bite marks, chocolate milk spills, and dog-ears. My mother's book smelled of the dust that had first settled on its pages long before it entered my literary mind.

"This was my birthday present when I turned eight!"

I remember thinking, or perhaps asking, "A book?"

Incredously, my post industrial childhood imagination couldn't fathom someone my age wanting a book for a present, that was tantamount to socks for Chanukah! No, I needed a ten speed, or a skateboard, or an Eight Track Player (remember those?) I needed them all, not a book!

Tomorrow is my birthday, and oh, how I would treasure a new book, maybe Blink or The Historian, or better yet, my mother’s book! Indeed, now I have a glimpse of the endless pleasures this dusty object heaped onto her inquisitive, grateful and highly aspiring literary mind.

I caught my first glimpse of the young girl she once was; the lilt in her voice changed as the pages turned, her New York accent faded into musical tonations of joy and wonder, emphasizing portions of Heidi's tale and the memories of reading that mattered most to her then and perhaps even more now. Her past and my future were bridged in those quiet, yet sacred moments of a mother and daughter reading together and aloud.

Yesterday, our Muslim students celebrated Fatima's day, a holy mother's day, and I imagine that little girls all over the world heard the tales of Fatima’s childhood adventures, virtues and lessons passed down through the voices of mothers everywhere.

That summer long ago, Heidi's mountain came to symbolize an ascent towards the peak of my initiation into a universal custom of Mother/Child "Read Alouds."

If your are reading this and recall the memories of your literary "initiation," please consider sharing them here. Together we can ensure that all children of this generation benefit not only from "Reading First" but grow to embrace a rich trandition of reading transmission.

Ingredients for reflection:
What was your family's favorite book?
Is there someone from your childhood you admire in connection with a book?
What is your first literary memory and who helped to make that memory possible?

Looking forward to your reply,
Dr. Ima Reader