Helping children become better readers: For parents, caregivers, teachers, and aides

Helping children become better readers: For parents, caregivers, teachers, and aides by Patricia Hipwell (Watson Ferguson & Company) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780987215956

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

Parents and caregivers of beginning readers will be familiar with the feelings of uncertainty and doubt that accompany trying to encourage your child to do their reading. The methods our teachers and parents used are now out of style, so we are left wondering how to support our child’s journey to fluent literacy and a love of reading without scarring them for life.

Enter this book by literacy consultant Patricia Hipwell. It provides a basic understanding of reading development and then steps through what is essentially a troubleshooting guide. All manner of potential snags are addressed one by one, from wild word guessing to outright resistance, finger pointing to lack of comprehension. Each issue is explored by looking at the cause, options for tackling the issue and why those options are recommended, followed by a summary.

The presentation of the book is akin to a textbook, and in that way, it will likely gain more traction in the professional market of teachers and aides rather than the home market - which is a shame. It would be great to see a version of this presented in a more mass-market style, as it really should find its way into the hands of every parent of a new reception student.

A must-have resource for anyone with a child in the early stages of reading, whether as a parent, caregiver, teacher, or aide.