Sorry, but before you read a book a book aloud to children you really should read it yourself. This is relatively easy with picture books, but also applies to complete books for older classes.
Well, actually, I’m not sorry at all. Once you start, reading good quality children’s books is hugely enjoyable, not a chore. It should and must be part of every primary teacher’s professional commitment, but as a pleasure, not as just another addition to PPA.
First, you cannot be sure if a book is right for your class, if you haven’t read it. Recommendations, particularly those from other teachers, can be very helpful in pointing you in some promising directions. But every class is different and you are different from every other teacher. What worked well for someone else may work well for you too, but not necessarily. Also, excellent children's books sometimes depict quite disturbing behaviour and use realistic language. Opinions vary as to what is suitable for what age of children. Only you know what you are comfortable to read aloud. And there is nothing worse that suddenly coming ‘live’ upon something in a story that isn’t right for you and your class, or discovering that the story is going in a direction you don’t feel appropriate. Even picture books may not turn out quite as expected. You just can’t be sure a book is right for you and your class if you haven’t read it. (In my view, all the books recommended on this blog are suitable for the age groups stated - but it is possible that you may not agree.)
The second thing, just as important, is that you cannot read a story aloud well if you don’t understand what is happening, what’s coming and where it’s all leading. You need to have a rough idea how long bits will take, choose good places to leave off for the day, etc. To read with reasonalble expression and excitement you also need to know how to pace the narrative, when to build tension - and also any upcoming bits you might need to explain or mediate.
There is a third reason too. A major element of effective reading aloud is to share your own enthusiasm for books with the children. It’s hard to be genuinely enthusiastic about a book you haven’t read. But if you have and you are, then it will come across, I promise.
So, sorry (not sorry) there is no avoiding the golden rule:
Never try to read aloud a book you haven’t read yourself first.
Oh. And no cheating, please. Trying to compensate by just reading a bit ahead doesn’t cut it!
