Research shows that the seemingly simple act of being read to brings remarkable health and happiness benefits. It stimulates thought and memory, encourages the sharing of ideas and feelings, hopes and fears. It enriches our lives and minds.

This unique book offers a selection of prose and poetry especially suitable for reading aloud to children. It includes extracts ranging from modern day favourites (David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Neil Gaiman) to old classics (Kipling, Dickens, E. Nesbit), and features a foreword from Michael Morpurgo. Each piece has been chosen by the Reader Organisation, whose team has unique experience in the effect and benefits of books that immediately capture children's interest and imagination.

All royalties in full will go to The Reader Organisation, the leading UK charity for reading and health.

An inspirational collection of stories and poems chosen specifically to be read aloud to children.

About the Author
The Reader is a national charity dedicated to bringing about a reading revolution by making it possible for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy and engage with literature on a deep and personal level. Their Shared Reading groups, in which books and poems are always read aloud, reach across all ages, demographics and settings from nurseries and schools to care homes, via hospitals, mental health settings and prisons. The organisation started on Merseyside but has since expanded across the UK and beyond. Angela Macmillan has worked at The Reader since its inception and has run several 'Shared Reading' groups

Reviews
The importance of reading aloud to children cannot be underestimated, and this anthology is designed not only to facilitate that but to help inculcate a love of books in youngsters, especially those who regard reading as uncool or too much like hard work. * The Financial Times *
Absolutely impeccable anthology of short poems and prose excerpts designed for self-contained readings at bedtime. It's intended not only to entertain but to encourage children to seek out literature for themselves. * The Financial Times *
Reading aloud should be a pleasurable experience for both the reader and the listener and this book will do so much to promote this. I feel sure that it will become a well-thumbed family favourite and will work brilliantly in schools and libraries too. It would also make a lovely gift. Highly recommended. * The Bookbag *
This new anthology brings together a wide range of poetry and prose ideal for reading aloud with children. With a foreword by former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo, it incorporates a lively and diverse selection of both well-known and well-loved favourites, and less familiar material which may be new to young readers...Each piece has been selected by the Reader Organisation, a UK charity for reading and health, with the aim of capturing children's interest and imagination. Ideal for classroom use as well as bedtime reading, this is a delightfully varied and enjoyable collection. * Booktrust website *
As a present for anyone who can find a child to read to it is A VERY GOOD IDEA. This satisfyingly thick anthology of poems and stories contains more than 60 choices of good stuff...as an added help, a reading time is given for extracts from longer stories. * Newbury Weekly News *



Book Information
ISBN 9780857534170
Author Angela Macmillan
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint Doubleday Children's Books
Publisher Penguin Random House Children's UK
Weight(grams) 487g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 33mm