How to read a story

K-Gr 2-In 10 easy steps, each one expanded upon, this metafictive tale offers its young audience a primer not merely on how to read, but on how to read a picture book aloud and enjoy it. Beginning with Step 1, "Find a Story," the book guides a mop-haired kid and his whimsically blue dog through all the necessary stages by using a story within a story called "The Princess, the Dragon, and the Robot." Other steps include finding a friend to read to, getting comfortable, reading with expression, showing the pictures, sounding out unfamiliar words, and using pictures for clues-all wonderfully useful advice for new readers. Siegel's bright cartoonish illustrations in watercolor and ink lighten the mostly practical text with a few funny moments-the boy stuck in the chair with the dog, the princess taking the dragon for a walk. A nice departure from the typical focus on silent personal reading that educates without being overly didactic. VERDICT This title works for classroom discussions or sharing with a buddy, just as the book suggests.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this how-to book, Messner's advice is matter-of-fact (e.g., "Step 1: Find a Story"). Siegel's imaginative illustrations extend the commonsense instructions ("Step 5: Open the Book"), adding humor and a bit of a plot and staving off didacticism. A boy and a blue dog ("Find a Reading Buddy") demonstrate how it's done, from sounding out unfamiliar words, to sharing your enthusiasm with friends. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.