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

The magic of reading aloud benefits everybody, young and old, according to Wall Street Journal book critic and mother of five Gurdon, who advocates for this simple activity using research results, interviews with readers, quotes from literature, and her own family's experiences. Gurdon convincingly describes the importance and delight of sharing books with loved ones. Reading aloud teaches language, cultural touchstones, and even aesthetics through illustrations. Books transport us to other times or places. Studies show that reading to children increases their vocabulary, both in quantity and quality, and that reading to the elderly or infirm strengthens social connections. In conclusion, Gurdon advises families how to read aloud every day, providing an alphabetical list of more than 100 titles and additional suggestions divided by topics such as bedtime, kindness, fairy tales, and classics for older listeners.