The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction – A Neuroscience Guide for Parents on Brain Development and Family Bonds

I finished the book a week ago and I'm under its spell. As the author said that if after finishing the book the reader rushed off to pick up a book and started reading to their child her mission would be complete so it happened to me. Both my husband and I now look for any reason to read out loud to our 4 year old daughter several times a day. Not only is the book an incredible inspiration and motivation to read to your child no matter what age they are but it's also written in a sort of spellbinding style that makes it hard to put the book down.. Throughout the chapters, the author uses beautiful and poignant quotations from her favorite books (many of which she used to read and re-read to her own children). It seems as if the Enchanted Hour is told to us by so many voices representing the human kind - the story tellers from ancient Greece to the present time. This book is a must read for every parent. It's revolutionary as it shows us that something that is so easy and accessible and totally free can make the most incredible impact on your child that will carry an effect into their adult life. And finally you'll form a unique bond that is difficult to establish in our almost virtual-reality existence or distraction and loneliness.

The Enchanted Hour is an insightful and encouraging book for anyone who has a child in his/her life. With a perfect combination of her personal experience and professional research, Megan Gurdon’s beautifully written book illustrates the benefits of reading to all children. As a school librarian and mom, I am fascinated with children’s books and devoted to reading aloud. What a thrill to read this enlightening book!

I loved this book!! As a lifelong reader myself and one who read to my daughter all the time, this book basically confirms what I already knew but it also makes you aware of how many different ways reading aloud is important in a child's life. My daughter eventually became an English major and then a Montessori teacher. It is with extreme pleasure and joy that I now get to read aloud to my sweet grandson, who was a preemie (there is also a section in the book regarding premature babies being read to). It is fun to watch his progress as far as focus and concentration on the books as the months go by. At 7 months old, his favorite is "Baby Beluga." Thank you for a book that confirms how important reading - and especially reading aloud - is to the minds and well-being of our children and grandchildren.

Reading to another, especially a child is all the manic the author suggests it is. If there is only one gift you can give your child, read to them! However, I was disappointed to see mention of facilitated communication by another name. I do not recommend that at all.

I've been reading Meghan Gurdon's reviews of children's books in the Wall Street Journal for many years. Her review of the last Harry Potter book in the series several years ago convinced me that I needed to get off the sidelines and read the entire series--but I digress (already!). I think most everyone recognizes that reading aloud to children is inherently valuable and good, but Ms. Gurdon spends much of the book explaining why this is so--citing numerous studies and telling many personal tales of her own experiences with her children and other children she met while researching and writing the book. Some things I had not realized before reading this book: babies are positively impacted in their development by parents and grandparents (and others) reading aloud to them even from picture books; children who are read to regularly (as opposed to quite so much time on devices) are generally more well-behaved; and reading aloud--and being read to--is valuable in all sorts of way--for our entire lives. I posted a recommendation of this book on my Facebook page, and one person commented that she had been a first grade teacher for 20 years, that "read aloud time" was one of highlights of the day both for her and for her students, but that there were many children in her classes over the years who had never been read to before they got to her class. The final chapter has some excellent practical suggestions for how reading aloud can become an integral part of the lives of young families (as well as older adults), and how significant the advances in vocabulary and changes in behavior in young children can be traced, in part as least, to parents reading aloud to their children. Deciding to read aloud to each other is quite counter-cultural, and those who decide to take it up will have to decide to turn off their "devices" for some time each day, but the rewards that come from reading aloud are so great, it's hardly worth even thinking of "powering down" the phones and tablets as a sacrifice!

This book will change your life. For me and my family, this means the realization that we don’t have to stop reading aloud at first grade. It’s like the many beautiful, simple pleasures that are there for the taking if we only take time - a walk through a garden, a nap, and...reading aloud to your older children. I have returned to reading to my ten year old and yes, it is changing our lives. I think I will maintain this newfound pleasure for years to come. I already have a mental list of all my girlhood favorites I will get to relive reading to my daughter (at what age should we read Jane Eyre?) and then a mental list of all the discoveries I will make reading to my son, who is seven years younger (Treasure Island, etc.). Reading aloud is so rewarding. Thank you Meghan Cox Gurdon!

I absolutely love this book! I listened to a podcast by Read Aloud Revival on this book, so of course I had to buy it. Even though we are avid proponents of reading aloud, I still learned many new things from this book. I have since gifted it several times to new moms to show them the power of reading from birth. Every parent should read this book!

Some of my very earliest memories are sitting up in bed being read to by my busy professional mum. This book takes a good look into the oral tradition of reading and somehow brings it alive. It is an enchanting and valuable read. Its prescient message is obvious, reading aloud is to be treasured by both reader and listener. Likewise reader of this book will treasure it as it brings alive long-forgotten truths about reading, culture, patience, perseverance and understanding. A beautiful book. Treasure it.

Concept is excellent. Was expecting a more scientific book. However for the average reader more than enough science

One of the best books I've read. Totally validated everything I've done with my own kids and as a teacher. Has rejuvenated my love of reading aloud because it is just soooo important for development of little minds. A must read!!

This book is inspirational and thought provoking. I have taken several steps in my day-to-day life to improve and adjust my parenting and teaching, as a result of this book. This book has had a hugely positive impact on my life, and hopefully the lives of those in my household. I thought I was doing well at providing a rich learning environment and now (with some tweaking) I feel confident that I am.

A wonderful read.