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" Randall de S\u00E8ve believes that reading with your child doesn&amp;#039;t have to be a selfless act\u2014that sharing kids books should be enjoyable for adults, too. She&amp;#039;s excited to recommend some of her favorites in this column, along with fun, story-based activities to go with them.  I have to respond to Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic&amp;#039;s &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;m Tired of Reading out Loud to My Son, O.K.?&amp;quot; in yesterday&amp;#039;s New York Times. I agree with her when she says that 20 minutes of rereading books you hate can feel like a &amp;quot;complete drag.&amp;quot; But instead of cheating your way through stacks of subpar kid lit, how about using that precious time to really enjoy a single excellent story together? It even can be a five-minute read (some of my favorite picture books are quite short) followed by a 15 minute discussion. It&amp;#039;s all story time, and it&amp;#039;s all good. Here are some ideas for sharing a picture book with your child at bedtime, all from the cozy nest of your couch or bed: \u2014 Before you begin, look at the cover and imagine what the book will be about.  \u2014 Make it up: If your child can&amp;#039;t read yet, look at the pictures and tell your own tale.  \u2014 Be a critic: What are your favorite and least-favorite pictures? Does the cover suit the story? \u2014 Discuss the characters: Ask your child which character he or she is most like? Who would you want to be friends with?  \u2014 Role play: Have your child pretend to be a character from the book, and have a conversation with him or her. Now switch. Now tuck your little person in with a kiss and, sure, take a peek at the clock. I&amp;#039;ll bet it&amp;#039;s been at least 20 minutes, no problemo. In case you need help choosing great picture books, here are some of my recent favorites. I also recommend School Library Journal&amp;#039;s &amp;quot;Top 100 Picture Books List,&amp;quot; which was compiled by Betsy Bird, New York Public Library&amp;#039;s Youth Materials Collections Specialist.  Randall de S\u00E8ve is the author of New York Times bestseller Toy Boat, The Duchess of Whimsy, Mathilda and the Orange Balloon, and Peanut and Fifi Have a Ball. She also spent many happy years teaching young children in Brooklyn, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and a very wicked dog named Henry Biscuit. You can contact Randall at her website. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/life/mom-kids/news/a15681/make-reading-to-kids-fun/>