Showing posts with label ebooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ebooks. Show all posts

Friday, May 8, 2015

Reading to Children, an Unfair Advantage?

As fans of children's literature (whether hardcover, softcover or eBook) this ABC Radio National article, by Joe Gelonesi, draws a conclusion that may be obvious to us:

"‘The evidence shows that the difference between those who get bedtime stories and those who don’t—the difference in their life chances—is bigger than the difference between those who get elite private schooling and those that don’t,’ he says."
-a quote in the article from philosopher Adam Swift

So more than an elite private school, being read to bestows more advantage to children? That. Is. Tremendous! 

Doesn't it make you want to go read aloud a book to a child? Knowing that it's more valuable to the child's future than a private school education?

With eBooks and Book Apps adding even more reading options and interaction with children, never before has literary technology been a greater advantage to children. 

I believe the advantage of reading to a child is mostly from the relationship and emotional bond that develops between the child and parent who is reading. However, because Book Apps actually "read aloud" to a child, and children control the narration at a touch (repetition of a favorite part? no problem!), I've seen great value in Book Apps raising childhood literacy. Do you agree?


The title of this article is, "Is Having A Loving Family An Unfair Advantage?"  Click on the link to read the entire article. 

Note: posting this does not mean I agree with everything the author Gelonesi postulates. In fact, I disagree with whole parts of it. But I obviously agree with the conclusions drawn about reading aloud to children. And I thought you might find it interesting too.



~Valerie Harmon

Thursday, September 26, 2013

We are blogged: by Theo Lightfoot


Thanks to Theo Lightfoot for spotlighting the Wants To Be book children's eBook series. He says, 

"This children’s ebook series teaches kids the valuable lesson that they can be anything they want to be, no matter how unlikely it first appears."

and...

"The point is, no matter how ridiculous someone’s goal seems, don’t disparage it. The more unlikely it is, the more the person will work to make it happen. And I think that’s the idea we want our kids to learn from these books."

Great review!

~Valerie Harmon



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

WantsToBe featured on Mrs. Mommy Booknerd Book Reviews & More


I just stumbled on this blogpost of my WantsToBe children's picture eBook series. It was written in July, but I didn't notice that it was up until now! Ha ha. Feels super though, to have someone blog about my books. And to like them!

Mrs. Mommy Booknerd says, "I love these stories about the unlikely interaction between the animals and the sheer determination to make a change!  The stories are original and the pictures are colorful and fun!  My kids and I loved to see how each book would end and what the animals would change into!"

Thanks Mommy Booknerd! I'm glad you and your kids enjoyed our books!

~Valerie Harmon