Ghoting and Martin-Diaz present a look at how to include parents and other caregivers during library programming in ways that promote practices that help promote early literacy at home. The first section of the text is an easily-accessible summary of early literacy research that specifically links the research to common story time practices. They go on to provide a series of sample story time plans and activities with explanations of what early literacy skills they promote and talking points to use when explaining those skills to parents. The final section of the book is devoted to assessing programming plans and ensuring that even caregivers that are not present for early literacy programming still have access to information on early literacy. This book is an excellent reference resource for both experienced youth services professionals and those attempting to develop early literacy-driven programming for the first time. ( )

This book was filled with easily digestible information on the six early literacy skills that affect later reading ability. There is plenty of research-based information here and lots of practical advise for relating this information to caregivers.

There are sample programs and ways to relate the skills for 0-24 month old babies (pretalkers), 2 and 3 year olds (talkers), a 4 and 5 year olds (prereaders). I'll be referencing this book a lot in the future. ( )

While everyone is now heading more towards Every Child Ready to Read 2, I still find this book to be very helpful when needing to create stroytimes. There are some really great resources including themes with book suggestions and rhymes and songs. This book is particularly helpful for those starting out planning and executing stortyimes and should be in every youth services library. ( )

http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/bookofmonth.htm#Early ( )