Reading Quotes

A list of quotes I have been keeping as I read materials about teaching children (and myself) to Read (not just read)...

“If…you ask a book a question, you must answer it yourself.” (Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book, p.15)

“Good books, like good companions, should broaden a student’s world, encourage him to appreciate what is lovely, and help him discern between truth and falsehood.” (Donnalynn Hess, Best Books for Kindergarten through High School, p.iv)

“It is important for children to have an arena in which their opinions may be freely expressed and gently judged. The discussion of a story provides just that. It is a time when reaction to the behavior of fictional characters can be stimulated, opinions expressed and judged, and basic values and assumptions about human behavior brought to light.” (Children’s Books, 4th ed., p.669)

“…the single most important factor in understanding any particular reading selection is what a child brings to it.” (Ruth Beechick, You Can Teach your Child Successfully, p. 9)

“Enlightenment is achieved only when, in addition to knowing what an author says, you know what he means and why he says it.” (Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book, p.11)