Developing Early Comprehension Skills Through Picture Book Talk

Reviews / Votes

This accessible book, underpinned by theory, offers foundation stage practitioners a practical and engaging approach to developing young children's comprehension skills, using picture fiction and multisensory tools. Reading for meaning, metacognition and booktalk are highlighted throughout and there is rich support for leading parent workshops in a manner which engages and informs. Packed with guidance, activities, book recommendations and evidence of the benefits of the approach, this is a book for all adults who want to develop their instructional skills teaching and support our youngest readers.

Teresa Cremin, Co-Director of Literacy and Social Justice Centre

To be able to read, to really read, is to explore, to learn, to laugh, to cry, to feel, be and to dream. To learn to really read, we need to ensure that our children love what they are doing and why. It is so much more than decoding the words on a page, it is to comprehend and to be able to immerse themselves in the context, the content and the meaning of the language. This is a special book, written by an EYFS expert for EYFS experts, but its relevance, its wisdom, pragmatism and resources are far more wide reaching. This is an impeccably researched work, filled with practical advice and approaches that will help all of our children discover the lifelong magic of reading. Thank you Donna.

Dr Richard Gerver, President of The School Library Association.

Donna Thomson offers teachers a wealth of strategies and resources intended to guide young readers on their journey to thinking and learning - and talking - through great picture books. This book is needed by any educator or parent who values children's literature as a vehicle to help students to read, read, read.

Larry Swartz, OISE, University of Toronto, author of Better Reading Now and Teaching Tough Topics

One of those rare penny-drop moments that makes you look at the world through a new lens. Donna Thomson explores our history with pictures, dating back to cave drawings, and poses the question, have we missed a link in our early years' learning steps?

A beautifully crafted and comprehensively written guide, questioning what we think we know for sure.

Donna has done an extraordinary job covering the wide scope of early years development of comprehension skills, leaving no stone unturned in her research. A fantastic read and one for every teacher and parent trying to build confidence and foundation skills in young people.

Andrew Kay, CEO of World Literacy Foundation