Review of This May Be Difficult to Read

[Elena Mas]

[Following is a volunteer review of "This May Be Difficult to Read" by Claire Rubman.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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This is a book for parents or educators who are trying to teach their kids how to read. Its main message is to emphasize the enjoyment and storytelling aspects of reading, rather than solely focusing on the technical process of decoding words. In other words: let your kids play with the stories! The book presents engaging anecdotes that bring the reading experience to life, and the exercises effectively illustrate the intricate cognitive processes we often take for granted. Not only is it interesting, but it also provides practical recommendations for effectively teaching children how to read.

The main drawback for me is the book’s structure, which can be confusing at times. Grouping together similar topics, such as Chapters 8 and 12, or using clearer chapter titles that do not refer to previous myths, such as Chapter 9’s, would enhance the overall organization. Additionally, some figures are placed incorrectly, such as the one on page 75, which belongs to the discussion in the following chapter.

On a more personal note, I did not particularly like the focus on myth-busting. It places excessive emphasis on debunking ineffective methods rather than highlighting effective ones. Consequently, not all myths were convincingly busted, especially “why you shouldn’t teach your child to read aloud before kindergarten”. Most of the reasons provided seemed more like a call to avoid fixating on this practice rather than actual detrimental effects on a child's development. However, once the author moves away from myth-busting, from Chapter 14 onwards, things get more interesting.

Overall, I would rate this book with 3 out of 5 stars. At the end of the day, I am glad I read it, as it offers valuable insights for parents with children who are learning to read and is actually quite entertaining. However, a more coherent organization would have made it a bit less “difficult to read”. I would recommend this book to parents who wish to nurture a passion for reading in their young children.

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This May Be Difficult to Read
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