Jeremiah Learns to Read - The Great Elementary Read

Jeremiah Learns to Read

Written by Jo Ellen Bogart

Illustrated by Rick and Laura Fernandez

Scholastic Canada $7.99

Recommended for ages 5-10

On the heels of The Big Rothesay Read, another celebration of literacy has launched: The Great Elementary Read. This year’s title is a family favourite of ours that tells the tale of old Jeremiah who has never been taught to read and the children that fill his days with wonder and encouragement.

Jeremiah is a white-haired gentleman who “knew how to grow beautiful tomatoes, long green cucumbers and juicy cobs of corn, but he didn’t know how to read.” He looks for advice on how to learn to read from his brother, Jackson, his wife, Juliana and even his old sheepdog. None of them can offer him the help he needs so he takes matters into his own hands and heads off to the one-room schoolhouse with the village children.

Mrs. Trumble welcomes him with open arms and begins to teach him sounds, letters and eventually how to write. As the days pass, Jeremiah spends his time teaching his classmates to “chirp like a chickadee and honk like a goose”. He even “taught Mrs. Trumble to make applesauce and to whistle through her teeth.”

Eventually Jeremiah is able to fulfill Juliana’s wish to have him read to her. One special night he chooses a book and reads a lovely selection of poetry to her. This in turn inspires her to learn to read. “Jeremiah smiled at Juliana. “First thing after breakfast, my love.” And Jeremiah turned off the light.”

This simple yet meaningful story reminds us that everyone has their own strengths. All of us have something to offer to the world!

In celebration of The Great Elementary Read, Jo Ellen Bogart will be visiting Benjamin’s Books on April 26 from 3-5. Everyone is welcome to join us.

We can't get enough of Junie B. Jones....

Here is my latest review for KV Style... Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday Written by Barbara Park Illustrated by Denise Brukus Random House $5.99 Recommended for ages 6 – 9 You know it’s a good sign when our four children are sitting around the dinner table listening raptly as I bring our old friend Junie B. to life with her unique vocabulary and foolish antics. Even Jamie was laughing out loud and claimed listening to the story was his “apple of the day”. Junie B. Jones is feeling left out when “that Jim” invites all of Room Nine to his birthday party except her. In true Junie B. fashion, she tries all different angles to get herself invited. She decides she will move away from her neighbourhood in an effort to avoid the planning for the festivities. When her mother insists that she go to school she preys on the weak and snatches Shy William’s invitation and claims it as her own. That decision lands her in the Principal’s office, a place she knows well. Grampa Frank Miller comes to the rescue with a request for Junie B.’s help in fixing his toilet. Coincidentally, he will be fixing it at the very time that the party is taking place. Fixing the toilet is one of Junie’s favourite things to do with Grampa so she is thrilled to oblige until she realizes she will be missing the party!Things turn around for Junie when Principal intercepts and insists that Jim give her the invitation that was meant for her. Hmmmm – this is good news. Or is it? As Junie finds out, going to a party means a bath and washing her hair and giving up time with Grampa Miller. Oh, the pressure! Junie B. learns a valuable lesson here: Be careful what you wish for! This is only one of many Junie B. stories and as long as your listeners know that Junie B. may be a little saucy and her actions may not always be the right, there are a lot of laughs to be had in reading them.