Investigates children's reading interests, the extent to which their parents are aware of these interests, and the ability of parents and children to select books at appropriate reading levels. (RAE)

Reports on a study which examined students' attitudes toward reading basals as opposed to children's novels. Notes that children overwhelmingly preferred novels over the basal series. (MM)

Finds no foundation for the fear teachers and parents have that "light reading" (comic books, magazines, and novels) will limit higher-level reading. Notes that the vast majority of doctoral students at a major southern California university responded affirmatively to light reading as youths. (RS)

Presents a project where the teacher, rather than teaching the students how to read using a remedial, isolated skills approach, concerned herself with getting them to read by "falling into the literature" and getting involved in the characters' lives. Describes a reader response approach that was designed to motivate the students to engage with…

The reading interests of children should be considered by teachers in order to increase positive attitudes toward reading, the amount of their reading, and their reading achievement. Since findings show that using trade books to teach reading has strong positive effects upon children's reading achievement, a study examined children's choices of…

Presents personalized statements from teachers-in-training about their own experiences in learning to read and about their teachers. (TO)

Looks at six award-winning citations or medals received by authors because children have selected them. (TO)

A review of the professional literature supports the position that abundant experience with literature has value for young readers. Teachers in the elementary grades stimulate appreciation of literature when (1) their own enthusiasm is evident as they read and discuss books, (2) they regard each pupil as an able reader of and responder about…

Developing life-long reading habits is a process that should begin in elementary school. Children should be encouraged not only to read what has been approved for classroom use but also to look beyond classroom walls to read for interest and enjoyment. "Looking beyond the walls" is a parable that suggests that school curriculum go beyond the…

This bibliography is the second edition of a guide intended to serve adults in selecting books for children of preschool age through the eighth grade. Each of the more than 2400 titles is annotated, with each annotation including descriptions of the main characters, setting, plot, style, factual content, illustrations, suggested age level,…

Comprehension and interest were high when children read stories where nontraditional sex role behavior was perceived to be appropriate to the action of the story. (MKM)

Two related experiments were designed to investigate the reinforcement potency of children's reading materials. After determining the preferences of third graders for various reading materials, listening to recorded tapes of these materials was used as a reward for correct responses on reading exercises. Significant differences among materials…

A survey was given to 866 students in the Westfield Public School (New Jersey) to ascertain whether or not elementary age children were strongly influenced by Corporate America in their reading selections. Respondents were in either second, third, or fourth grade. The children were asked three questions about their favorite character and favorite…

Argues that interest is as potent a factor in reading comprehension as is difficulty, calling for a serious reconsideration and revision of both the philosophy and strategy of the Informal Reading Inventory. (RB)

A supplementary reading materials collection in the classroom can stimulate a child's reading interest. (MM)