The Treasury of Read-Alouds

ANTHOLOGIES page 1 of 1

Does God Have a Big Toe?

by Marc Gellman      Gr. 1–7      88 pages      Harper, 1989

Along with being a mother lode of wisdom and inspiration, the Bible has been a rich source of literature and inspiration for those who look for the common thread of story in all life. Because the Bible lends itself to diverse interpretations, scholars often create stories of their own to explain it. In this case, Rabbi Marc Gellman has taken twenty Biblical episodes and given us twenty midrosh—“new stories about old stories.” Its success is largely due to Gellman’s wit and the reverence he maintains throughout. Sequel: God’s Mailbox: More Stories about Stories in the Bible. Also How Do You Spell God? Answers to the Really Big Questions from Around the World by Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman.

Guys Write for Guys Read

Edited by Jon Scieszka; assorted illustrators      Gr. 4 and up      227 pages      Viking, 2005

A few years ago, popular children’s author Jon Scieszka (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (p) founded a Web site (www.guysread.com) devoted to motivating boys to read more. He then solicited other male writers for write short pieces (few go more than 2-3 pages) about “guy stuff,” stories that boys really enjoy. There are 92 pieces here, from the ridiculous to the sublime, from sports to music, fiction and nonfiction, excerpted from books and magazines, text and cartoons—it’s all here, complete with body sounds and smells, mixed with a heavy syrup of humor. Related books: Grossology: The Science of Really Gross Things! by Sylvia Branzei; The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups by David Wisniewski; and Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader for Kids Only!

Hey! Listen to This: Stories to Read Aloud

by Jim Trelease      Gr. K–4      410 pages      Penguin, 1992

Here are forty-eight read-aloud stories from the top authors of yesterday and today. Arranged in categories like school days, food, families, folk and fairy tales, and animals, the selections include entire chapter excerpts as well as complete stories. There are also full-page biographical profiles of the authors. Also by the author: Read All About It!, an anthology for grades five and older; and The Read-Aloud Handbook. On the Web: www.trelease-on-reading.com

Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story”

by Paul Harvey, Jr.      Gr. 6 and up      234 pages      Bantam, 1978

This collection of essays from broadcaster Paul Harvey’s five-minute radio show, “The Rest of the Story,” is perfect for teachers and parents trying to win older students to the art of listening. Nearly all of these pieces deal with famous people, past and present. The person’s name is saved for the last few lines of the tale and serves as an O. Henry–type punch line. The eighty-one stories average four minutes in length. Sequel: More of Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story.”

Read All About It!

by Jim Trelease      Gr. 5 and up      487 pages      Penguin, 1993

For parents and teachers at a loss for what to read to preteens and teens, here are fifty selections—from classics to newspaper columns, fiction and nonfiction, humor and tragedy. Each story is introduced by a biographical profile of the author—like “Whatever happened to Harper Lee?” (To Kill a Mockingbird). Also by the author: Hey! Listen to This, an anthology for grades K–4; and The Read-Aloud Handbook. On the Web: www.trelease-on-reading.com

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for Kids Only!

by the Bathroom Readers Institute      Gr. 3-7      324 pages      Bathroom Readers Press

Crude as the title may sound, this book's contents more than make up for it. I've been a fan of this series since it started with adult editions (more than six at last count) and it's a delight to see the editors recognize the importance of young bathroom readers. To be honest about the title, this is an even better bedroom or kitchen table reader. Consider the variety covered in this edition: ubiquitous "body music" articles (burps and hiccups); the truth behind: Aesop's fables, the Pony Express, the "dollar," yo-yo's,, popsicles, snowboards, Sylvester and Tweedy, Bugs Bunny, and Little League; amazing kids' accomplishments; the history of: bathrooms; toys that flopped; everything you ever needed to know about lightning. Got the idea? My bookstore had numerous editions, but not in the children’s section; look for it in Humor/ Reference. On the Web: www.bathroomreader.com.