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The Best .... to Read
The Best Time to Read
The little boy from T he Best Place to Read can now read by himself, and he's looking for an audience. But everyone--his parents, siblings, grandparents, even his dog!--is too busy to hear a story in this fun and lively tale. When our young reader finally settles in to read to his toys, he gets a surprise visit and learns that the best time to read is whenever you have loved ones to listen! With catchy, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud-- any time!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2005
6 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 13, 2014
In The Best Time to Read, a little boy goes to his mom, dad, brother, sister, baby sibling, grandparents, and even his dog to see if he can read them a story. But they're all too busy, so he finally settles in to read to his stuffed animals, and as he does, his family comes in to tease that they've been waiting for him to read to them! The entire book is one big rhyme, and it's just FILLED with cliches. His brother is too busy to read to him because he's on his computer, instant messages pinging on the screen. His sister is too busy to read to him, and does he like this sweater on her? I also wasn't a fan of the computer illustration, which looked a little generic to me. I guess it was fairly innocuous, not horrible, and the kids were neither here nor there about the rhyming. Someone called out, "Hey! It's like a poem!" I probably wouldn't read this aloud again, but as my two star rating says: it was ok.
Ages 3-6
Ages 3-6
May 11, 2011
This is one of the better rhyming texts I've read recently—everything actually fit with the meter and rhyme, and it made sense. I disliked the illustrations, though; they looked cheap and computer-generated. Also I didn't care all that much about the story.
August 19, 2019
The rhyme scheme is nice and the pictures are fun, but the story is nothing but cliches. Mom can't listen because she's cooking. Dad can't listen because he's doing yard work. Brother can't listen because he's too busy on his computer. Sister is too busy trying on a sweater. Grandpa's napping and Grandma's watching TV. It's just too many stereotypes for me; it kept me from enjoying the story.
September 29, 2023
Keywords: picture book, entertaining
Summary: This child has just learned how to read; except he needs to find an audience. He goes to his family members, but what do you think will happen?
Prompts: The plot in this story makes this book a quality book. It is easy to follow along, and because many may have experienced this same dilemma at one time, it can be relatable.
Summary: This child has just learned how to read; except he needs to find an audience. He goes to his family members, but what do you think will happen?
Prompts: The plot in this story makes this book a quality book. It is easy to follow along, and because many may have experienced this same dilemma at one time, it can be relatable.
January 30, 2017
I wasn't sure about this book at first, although the illustrations were delightful from start to finish. The story itself ended well, however, so it went up in my estimation. The best time to read? All the time, of course. :)
September 20, 2017
Another cute story about the joys of reading.
July 28, 2021
Cute rhyming book
January 12, 2012
"May I read to you?", asked the young boy.
A young reader is searching for someone to listen to him read aloud. Is there anyone in his family who will take time to listen?
"The Best Time to Read", by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom, is a rhyming picture book that will entertain and delight young readers.
This picture book features a young boy who is just learning to read. He has a book in his hand and goes to each member of his family asking them to listen to him read the book aloud.
Unfortunately, it seems that everyone is busy and the boy retreats to his room to read to his stuffed animals. Wait! He hears a knock at his door and his entire family (even the dog) wants to listen to the boy read.
The book ends with a family story time on the floor of the boy's room.
When I worked as an elementary school librarian, I was always looking for books that would promote reading. This rhyming picture book is a perfect example of the kind of material that I enjoyed sharing with my students.
This book was originally published in 2005 and was released as an ebook for the Kindle in February, 2011. I viewed the book on my Kindle 3 (black-and-white pictures) and the Kindle for PC application (color pictures). The color illustrations, by Michael Garland, are amazing and add depth and emotion to the text. The black-and-white illustrations are clear and bright.
Each page of the book consists of a picture and three lines of text on the Kindle. The text appears above the picture and is clear and easy to read. The pictures take up about one-third of the screen and the lower portion of the screen is blank - it would have been nice to see the pictures filling up the entire screen.
This story promotes reading and family unity. Parents are often "too busy" to spend quality time with their children. This book reminds us that the time we spend with our children is a wise investment. Highly recommended as a read-aloud selection and for independent reading.
A young reader is searching for someone to listen to him read aloud. Is there anyone in his family who will take time to listen?
"The Best Time to Read", by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom, is a rhyming picture book that will entertain and delight young readers.
This picture book features a young boy who is just learning to read. He has a book in his hand and goes to each member of his family asking them to listen to him read the book aloud.
Unfortunately, it seems that everyone is busy and the boy retreats to his room to read to his stuffed animals. Wait! He hears a knock at his door and his entire family (even the dog) wants to listen to the boy read.
The book ends with a family story time on the floor of the boy's room.
When I worked as an elementary school librarian, I was always looking for books that would promote reading. This rhyming picture book is a perfect example of the kind of material that I enjoyed sharing with my students.
This book was originally published in 2005 and was released as an ebook for the Kindle in February, 2011. I viewed the book on my Kindle 3 (black-and-white pictures) and the Kindle for PC application (color pictures). The color illustrations, by Michael Garland, are amazing and add depth and emotion to the text. The black-and-white illustrations are clear and bright.
Each page of the book consists of a picture and three lines of text on the Kindle. The text appears above the picture and is clear and easy to read. The pictures take up about one-third of the screen and the lower portion of the screen is blank - it would have been nice to see the pictures filling up the entire screen.
This story promotes reading and family unity. Parents are often "too busy" to spend quality time with their children. This book reminds us that the time we spend with our children is a wise investment. Highly recommended as a read-aloud selection and for independent reading.
July 7, 2011
As a parent, I thought this was a sad book because this little boy wants to read a book to someone but everyone (including his dog) is too busy. Unfortunately, I think that's how life is most of the time. But thankfully this book has a happy ending with everyone coming at one time to listen to him read.
My boys (ages 4 & 8) enjoyed it. It has a nice, flowing, rhythm and cute illustrations.
It starts out:
"I used to read pictures, but now I read words.
I like to read stories out loud.
I can read by myself--every book on my shelf!
It makes me feel happy and proud.
I run to the kitchen, where mommy is cooking.
I ask her, "May I read to you?"
She tells me, "You bet! But I don't have time yet.
Right now I am making beef stew."
My boys (ages 4 & 8) enjoyed it. It has a nice, flowing, rhythm and cute illustrations.
It starts out:
"I used to read pictures, but now I read words.
I like to read stories out loud.
I can read by myself--every book on my shelf!
It makes me feel happy and proud.
I run to the kitchen, where mommy is cooking.
I ask her, "May I read to you?"
She tells me, "You bet! But I don't have time yet.
Right now I am making beef stew."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2013
No longer reading pictures, but real words, this little boy is so excited to share his reading with his fmaily. Often times children's reading is not fostered at home, and this book portrays what really happens when some kids attempt to read to their family. Everyone, even the dog, is too busy and doesn't have time to listen to the little boy read. I would like for every parent or caregiver who has a child enrolled in school read this book, or better yet, have their child read it to them. Either way, I hope they can see the big picture and see what a role parental involvement plays in a child's education.
October 13, 2012
A story about a young boy who is learning to read, but his family is too busy to listen to him. This may be a very relevant book for many young readers. It is a quick read and it ends positively with the family listening to the new reader. Perhaps it could be used to encourage young readers to practice their reading skills even when family members are not available to listen.
April 24, 2013
A story about a young boy who is learning to read, but his family is too busy to listen to him. It is a quick read and it ends positively with the family listening to the new reader. It could be used to encourage young readers to practice their reading skills even when family members are not available to listen.
October 31, 2014
Sharing stories is SO much fun especially when it is your new talent like the little boy in this story. He has a house full of people but everyone is busy. Nonetheless, family storytime is the end result which is encouraging for young readers. Garland's illustrations are adorably detailed - example: the boy is reading a book, Tick Tock, with a clock on the cover.
September 27, 2016
I chose to read the book "The Best Time to Read" by Debbie Bertram due to the illustrations. The illustrator did a great job by using many colors and going along with the story line. I also enjoyed the end when all the family gathered together to listen to the boy read. I recommend having this book in a 2nd grade classroom.
September 29, 2016
This is a funny little easy read when a child might need to pass some time. It's about a little boy that just wants or read to someone, but everyone is busy, so he goes upstairs. It is a great book for a young child, and could be a fun one to have in a young classroom library.
May 2, 2017
As far as I'm concerned, any time is the best time to read!
August 27, 2008
Another rhymey one, but this time it's about the celebration of graduating from picture books to reading on one's own. A great gift book, and another one for library/classroom collections.
June 27, 2010
This book will be a great read aloud - contains rhyming text and vibrant pictures.
March 28, 2013
Touching little story that young children can relate to as they are first learning to read. Lots of rhyming and just a sweet story.
April 12, 2011
This book is a great read-aloud book. It can be read to children in their free time and shows lots of rhyming words.
October 6, 2011
It's always the best time to read!
February 13, 2012
A young boy wants to read to his family but everyone is busy. When is the best time to read?
Good book to share with beginning readers.
Good book to share with beginning readers.
April 6, 2012
Love that these books encourage children to read!
July 10, 2012
Loved It !!! :)
February 10, 2013
cute digital pictures
May 19, 2014
This would be great for a pre-k class library visit. Nice rhyming scheme and bright colorful illustrations as well.
January 29, 2016
A good read-aloud for establishing independent reading. Strong readers read every day. Everyone's busy so he reads to his stuffed animals; later, everyone wants to read with him!
September 2, 2016
fun companion in the Best to Read series - hoping the students will notice that the boy is older and reading to himself now in book #2.
February 19, 2013
Easy sentences, rhyming text, nice illustrations.
themes: family, reading
themes: family, reading
September 14, 2016
Cute story about a little boy who just wants to read to someone. Seems that everyone is too busy...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews