In this delightfully witty, provocative book, literature professor and psychoanalyst Pierre Bayard argues that not having read a book need not be an impediment to having an interesting conversation about it. (In fact, he says, in certain situations reading the book is the worst thing you could do.) Using examples from such writers as Graham Greene, Oscar Wilde, Montaigne, and Umberto Eco, he describes the varieties of "non-reading"-from books that you've never heard of to books that you've read and forgotten-and offers advice on how to turn a sticky social situation into an occasion for creative brilliance. Practical, funny, and thought-provoking, How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read-which became a favorite of readers everywhere in the hardcover edition-is in the end a love letter to books, offering a whole new perspective on how we read and absorb them.

"This book envisions the language and learning possibilities of young children's active engagement in literature discussion, which is not often found in books about early read-alouds. This book promotes read-aloud experiences that keep children, their backgrounds, and their experiences front and center. This book shares our journey, as educators and researchers, with a goal to support the learning journey of other early childhood educators. This book includes vignettes from classroom literature discussions as well as conversations between educators"--

The instant #1 New York Times bestseller. In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear -- and the stunning links between the past and present. September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape? September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz -- and put herself and her family in mortal danger? Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same.

"A fascinating and valuable insight into the fast-changing worlds of the bibliophile." -John Lewis

Discover the language and learning possibilities of young children’s active engagement with book experiences, in which they talk with one another as they make meaning from literature centered around their lives and interests. Drawing from their backgrounds as teachers and researchers, as well as their many experiences facilitating and observing read-alouds with diverse students, the authors provide a practical guide to conducting book discussions that promote deep engagement and the natural development of literacy skills. The text includes detailed recommendations for setting up the classroom reading environment, selecting books, preparing materials, setting goals, and integrating discussions with curricular demands, all while maintaining a child-centered philosophy and addressing the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Book Talk melds theory about literacy learning with the practical realities of reading and talking with young children in 21st-century preschool and primary classrooms. Book Features: Promotes read-aloud experiences that keep children, their backgrounds, and their experiences front and center.Offers guidance for tailoring discussions around specific learning goals across the literacy curriculum.Shares the authors’ learning journeys and their support for the learning of other early childhood educators.Includes vignettes from classroom literature discussions, as well as conversations between educators.Incorporates classroom observations, teacher reflections, and research-based teaching practices.Addresses a variety of early childhood audiences, including preschool, kindergarten, and primary-grade teachers, preservice teacher candidates, school librarians, and teacher educators.

Developing Early Comprehension Skills Through Picture Book Talk demonstrates how strategic ‘picture reading’ and playful sensory learning can develop young children’s explicit and implicit comprehension skills, regardless of their decoding ability. Offering an inclusive teaching and assessment approach that aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and supports the early adopter school initiative, it will help readers to guide children’s use of picture-reading-for-meaning strategies in preparation for more complex comprehension instruction in Year 1. The book also contains useful resources such as colour picture booklets and downloadable family workshop sessions to help guide parents in more effective ‘picture book talk’ at home. It offers corresponding steps for planning, teaching, and assessing children’s ‘picture book talk’, multisensory learning, self-questioning skills, and early reading for meaning. The methods and activities within this book specifically help to develop: • vocabulary (setting vocabulary, character vocabulary, general vocabulary) • communication and language skills • critical thinking and inference skills • metacognition (personal learning awareness) • self-confidence and self-regulation skills Providing examples of practice, photocopiable resources, and step-by-step guidance for teaching key comprehension strategies and early self-regulation skills, this book is essential reading for all those who work with young children and wish to encourage a love of reading.

This 4-hour free course, for librarians and teaching assistants, offered a range of ideas and activities to engage pupils in discussing books and reading.