The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction

Gurdon, children’s book reviewer for the Wall Street Journal, combines a consciously old-fashioned, anti-technology perspective with modern, data-driven cognitive arguments to advocate for face-to-face reading with children early and often. Gurdon focuses especially on the value of the picture book to build connection, regulate attention and emotional awareness, transmit cultural values, and give children feelings of mastery through repetition. In trying to cover her subject thoroughly—she also discusses the value of reading aloud to vulnerable adults, such as hospitalized seniors—Gurdon sometimes contradicts her own points. For instance, she posits recordings as being of lesser value for not being interactive, but also that parents recording books for their children shows the value of reading aloud; similarly, that classics should not be retired for their prejudices and outdated messages, but also that home readers should modify what they read at will for their audience. This completism, combined with Gurdon’s choice not to explain, until the end of her book, how to create an “enchanted hour” of reading aloud, may lead to readers losing interest partway, leaving them with the feeling she is still trying to convince long after they are ready to take action. Agent: Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. (Jan.)