IN REAL LIFE.

EARLY READERS

Once you’ve actually found a series your kiddo loves - it’s nice to know how to squeeze the most out of it, especially as it can be frustratingly true that once they’ve read it, they’re likely to not pick it up again.

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Book cover of "The Besties to the Rescue" featuring a red-haired girl, a boy holding a selfie stick, and an orange cat. Illustrated by Felice Arena and Tom Jellett.

  • Kiddos in the first three years of primary school.

    Kiddos interested in friendship, music & adventures.

  • This series have cool “text features” like chapters, page numbers, about the author/illustrator.

    Fun additional text types in the back include, comics, ukulele sheet music, ‘how to’ & jokes.

  • Pick your kiddo’s level below:

    Working on first year English?

    • talk about how the pictures relate to the text

    • talk about how the story connects to their life

    • use each chapter as a chance to recap what happened

    Working on second year English?

    • talk about what type of book it is (fiction/non-fiction) & what features tell them (drawings, made up characters)

    • notice the beginning, middle & end of the story

    • point out adjectives, nouns & verbs at the end of each chapter

    • ask your kiddo to ask you comprehension questions at the end of each chapter

    Working on third year English?

    • ask both inferred & explicit comprehension questions (a mix of reading between the lines & picking out actual answers)

    • notice the different types of punctuation & use their correct terminology

    • talk about the plot (what happens), characters (who they are & what they’re like) & the setting (where the story happens)

  • Take turns in reading aloud to your kiddo as well as letting them read aloud to you.

    Do silly things when it’s your turn to read aloud, such as:

    • read. like. a. robot. stopping after each word will highlight to your kiddo that fluency matters

    • use inappropriate expression like using a sad voice when it’s not a sad moment, or speaking with a louder voice

    • muck up your phrasing; like asking question when there is no question mark, or speeding up past a full stop

Illustrated book cover with a child holding a yellow surfboard, a lighthouse in the background, and a seagull nearby. Title reads 'Aussie Kids: Meet Taj at the Lighthouse' by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Nicki Greenberg.

  • Kiddos in the first three years of primary school.

    Kiddos interested in fact mixed with fiction, moving to a new place, & surf lifesaving.

  • This series have cool “text features” such as chapters which are numbered & named.

    Fun additional text types inside include a map, postcard & facts about the author/illustrator.

  • Pick your kiddo’s level below:

    Working on first year English?

    • talk about how a capital letter shows the start of a sentence or the special name of something

    • talk about how the characters connect to their life

    Working on second year English?

    • talk about new combinations of letters & the sound they make (like igh, tion or au)

    • ask your kiddo to predict what might happen next

    Working on third year English?

    • notice the paragraphs together

    • talk about why the author chose to include special features like maps & a postcard

    • notice words that have been shortened (can’t, we’ve) & ask which two words have been used to make the new contraction

  • At the end of each chapter stop & predict what might happen together.

    Talk about the clues that are being used to make a good prediction. Be silly occasionally to point out the difference between a clever guess & a nonsense guess.