The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon

Ah, the power of #bookstagram (aka. instagram for sharing the love of books)… A friend of mine shared this book to me and I knew I just had to read it. As a mom and a scientist, this book was crucial for me to have in my library.

Thank you Harper books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
A miraculous alchemy occurs when one person reads to another, transforming the simple stuff of a book, a voice, and a bit of time into complex and powerful fuel for the heart, brain, and imagination. Grounded in the latest neuroscience and behavioral research, and drawing widely from literature, The Enchanted Hour explains the dazzling cognitive and social-emotional benefits that await children, whatever their class, nationality or family background. But it’s not just about bedtime stories for little kids: Reading aloud consoles, uplifts and invigorates at every age, deepening the intellectual lives and emotional well-being of teenagers and adults, too. Meghan Cox Gurdon argues that this ancient practice is a fast-working antidote to the fractured attention spans, atomized families and unfulfilling ephemera of the tech era, helping to replenish what our devices are leaching away. For everyone, reading aloud engages the mind in complex narratives; for children, it’s an irreplaceable gift that builds vocabulary, fosters imagination, and kindles a lifelong appreciation of language, stories and pictures. Bringing together the latest scientific research, practical tips, and reading recommendations, The Enchanted Hour will both charm and galvanize, inspiring readers to share this invaluable, life-altering tradition with the people they love most. 

I grew up with parents who read to me almost every night and at every age. I have been blessed with wonderful memories to cherish forever by reading everything from Dr. Suess books to the Chronicles of Narnia series with my parents. It’s something I’ve vowed to do for my child. What I really never grasped was the importance of reading aloud to not only children, but people of all ages. This book shares some awesome data on just that. It talks about how reading aloud with family members has helped foster bonds and positive relationships, even if it has to be through skype (ie. military families). From helping boost brain development in babies through picture books to creating an extensive vocabulary, reading aloud at any age is proven to be extremely beneficial based on studies shared in the book. I highly recommend this book to any person, not just parents or teachers! You’d be amazed at the power we have to change our lives for the better just by using a book and our voice.

4.5/5 Stars