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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 31 OcTOber 2019
'How to Raise a Reader' gathers dos, don'ts and book lists

By RASHA MADKOUR encourage parents to get to "Tearjerkers," and "Great
Associated Press back to reading them- Friendship Stories" to "Sci-
"How to Raise a Reader" selves if they've let that ence and Nature").
(Workman Publishing), by activity slide, and to foster "How to Raise a Reader" is a
Pamela Paul and Maria a culture of reading in the surprisingly easy and quick
Russo home. read. The authors don't
Whether your child is yet- The reasons to do this are delve into the research be-
to-be-born, a teenager or myriad. "Children who read hind their advice but they
somewhere in between, are, yes, likely to excel aca- do share the summaries.
"How to Raise a Reader" demically, but there's much Their take on why bribing
has some tips and a whole more to the picture," the kids to read can backfire:
lot of book recommenda- authors write. "The latest re- "It's an acknowledged psy-
tions for you. search shows that children chological truth that 'intrin-
Authors Pamela Paul and who read at home are also sic motivation' — having
Maria Russo are parents better at self-regulation the desire to do something,
themselves, as well as edi- and executive function — such as reading, on your
tors of The New York Times those life skills that make us own — suffers when the
Book Review, and they happier and well adjusted: activity is associated with
draw on their experience controlling impulses, pay- 'external controls' such as
in both realms in writing this ing attention, setting goals reward, punishments, and
book. They argue: "School and figuring out how to requirements." Their expla-
is where children learn that achieve them." Paul adds: nation why you should al-
they have to read. Home "Through the novels they've ways reach for the physical
is where kids learn to read read, they will know more book instead of an e-book:
because they want to. It's about the stories they want "Studies have shown that
where they learn to love to to be a part of, what kind of children, even more than
read." character they might be." adults, absorb and retain
In order to do that, how- The book is divided by age stories better when they
ever, parents need to fol- This cover image released by Workman Publishing shows "How range, and each section read them in print."
low some guidelines. Don't to Raise a Reader," by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo. has advice on what to look Although the authors dis-
fret about when your child Associated Press for in books for that stage, cuss the importance of
learns to read by himself or what to be wary of and a diversity several times
herself. ("There is no 'cor- comes to your child's read- something less obviously list of recommendations. throughout the book, some
rect' age for independent ing choices. ("There may challenging at the mo- There is also an extensive of the illustrations inter-
reading and no special for- be some specific aspect ment.") Above all, prac- recommended list in the spersed in "How to Raise a
mula for getting every child of that book that is speak- tice what you preach. ("If final section of the book, Reader" have the antiquat-
to read by, say, age 5½.") ing to your child. Or maybe you want to raise a reader, organized by theme (from ed, monolithic quality that
Hold your tongue when it he just feels like reading be a reader.") The authors "Books That Make Us Laugh" the authors decry. q

Hootie & the Blowfish return but new album blows

By MARK KENNEDY are nicknames for guys not The majority of the album
Associated Press even in the band — Hootie was produced by Jeff Trott,
Hootie & the Blowfish, "Im- & the Blowfish took the best who has — surprise, surprise
perfect Circle" (Capitol new artist title at the 1996 — worked with Counting
Nashville) Grammys thanks to such Crows. Though Rucker in-
Come roll back the years hits as "Hold My Hand," ''Let sists in "Change" that life is
with Hootie & the Blowfish. Her Cry" and "Only Wanna always altering, nothing on
Their new 13-track offering Be With You," and then this album is fresh.
will transport you to when took their place with other Most of the lyrics sound like
Bill Clinton was in office and inoffensive college bro- what you'd find stitched
the Macarena took over rockers like Blues Traveler onto the pillows of a hip-
America. and Counting Crows. pie baby boomer — "Mon-
"Imperfect Circle," their first The intervening decades days are just Fridays in dis-
studio album in almost 15 have done nothing to guise," ''There ain't nothing
years, picks off right where darken the Hootie vibe. that a little love can't get
they left off, with earnest In fact, lead singer Darius us through" and "Tell me to
and yet utterly forgettable Rucker seems even more and I will shoot down the
songs. They're nice when disengaged, writing love moon." Rucker is all about
you play them but make no songs to his longtime wife a can't-we-just-get-along
discernible impression. and reminding listeners he's ethos. The closest he gets
For any younger readers, a lucky, lucky man. "Why's to socially conscious is the
a refresher: Hootie & the a beauty queen standing cheerful, Hawaiian-tinged
Blowfish emerged from the here with me?" he asks This cover image released by Capitol Records Nashville shows "We Are One," in which he
University of South Caro- Rucker's voice has a deep- "Imperfect Circle," the latest release by Hootie & The Blowfish. blithely sings, "You and I,
lina with a laid-back, post- er baritone and a more pro- Associated Press to the left or to the right/
grunge and cheerful mix of nounced twang, showing Meet you somewhere in
rootsy rock and country. the influence of his years as fire Love" featuring Lucie it spark. "Hold On" is co-writ- between."
Saddled with a name that a country chart-topper. But Silvas was co-written by Ed ten by Chris Stapleton and That would be the middle
aged poorly — both parts the songs are mushy. "Wild- Sheeran but neither make wastes some funky guitar. — the mushy middle.q