Here at last is a theoretically sound, delightfully readable alternative to commercial phonics kits. Rhymes & Reasons is a smart, up-to-date, all-in-one guide to phonological awareness-what it is, what it isn't, and the best practices for teaching it. Most important, it spotlights the best of recently published children's literature that can be used to foster children's understanding of phonological awareness in enjoyable and meaningful contexts.

"My goal" says author Michael Opitz, "is to provide a resource for busy teachers to access quality literature and provide kid-tested, practical suggestions that will engage children and further finesse their phonological awareness." In clear and accessible prose, he explains the differences between phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics. All sorts of language play are explored-assonance, rhyme, rhythm, phoneme substitution, alliteration, and more-as Opitz provides detailed suggestions for teaching these features.

The most valued feature of the book is certain to be the extensively annotated treasury of current children's literature. More than 350 books are listed, all carefully selected according to the following criteria:

• All books feature some sort of language play.
• Each book lends itself to further language-exploration activities and book extension ideas.
• Content is appropriate for primary grade-level readers-both in terms of ideas and language.
• Book choices can be read aloud.
• All are authentic texts (i.e., written from a literary as opposed to pedagogical standpoint).
• All can be purchased in a bookstore or found in local libraries.

With a resource as comprehensive and current as this, teachers will be well prepared as they seek to instill a love of language and set children on the road to becoming independent lifelong readers.
About the Author:

A former elementary school teacher and reading specialist, Michael Opitz (@MichaelOpitz4) is professor emeritus education of reading at the University of Northern Colorado where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses and supervised doctoral dissertations. He is now a literacy consultant and author well known to individual teachers, instructional leaders, and researchers as the author of numerous professional and curricular resources and through his extensive work in schools nationwide. TEACHER PROFESSIONAL BOOKS Titles with Heinemann - Accessible Assessment: How 9 Sensible Techniques Can Power Data-Driven Reading Instruction (2011) - Classroom Catalysts: 15 Efficient Practices That Accelerate Readers' Learning (2014) - Comprehension and English Language Learners: 25 Oral Reading Strategies That Cross Proficiency Levels (2009) - Do-able Differentiation: Varying Texts, Supports and Groups to Reach Readers (2008) - Good-bye Round Robin (1998/2008) - Books and Beyond: New Ways to Reach Readers (2006) - Listen Hear! 25 Ways to Enhance Listening Comprehension (2005) - Reaching Readers: Flexible and Innovative Strategies for Guided Reading (2001) - Rhymes and Reasons: Literature and Language Play for Phonological Awareness (2000) - Reading Diagnosis and Improvement: Assessment and Instruction, 6th ed. (Allyn & Bacon, 2011) - Literacy Lessons to Help Kids Get Fit and Healthy (Scholastic, 2010) - Don't Speed. Read! 12 Steps for Smart and Sensible Fluency Instruction (Scholastic, 2007) - Flexible Grouping in Reading (Scholastic, 1998) - Literacy Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (IRA, 1998) - Getting the Most from Predictable Books (Scholastic, 1995) - Learning Centers: Getting Them Started, Keeping Them Going (Scholastic, 1994) CORE, SUPPLEMENTAL, AND RTI PROGRAMS - Pair-It Extreme (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010), a supplemental reading program aimed at engaging boys with reading - Literacy by Design (Rigby, 2008), a supplemental literacy and RtI program - Intervention by Design (Rigby, 2009), an intervention program tailored to children who need additional help with reading - Summer Success Reading (Great Source, 2007), a reading program designed to help children who need additional help with reading - Afterschool Achiever's Reading Club (Great Source, 2003) - Daybooks, Grades 3 - 5 (Great Source, 2008, contributing author) ARTICLES Mike is the author of more than 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals such as: - The Reading Teacher - Literacy Research and Instruction - Reading Horizons AWARDS AND HONORS Mike has received more than 15 awards for his teaching, scholarship, and service to professional organizations, including the Fannie Stabenow Award from the Colorado Council of the International Reading Association. LEADERSHIP ROLES - Editorial Boards of The Reading Teacher and Reading Horizons - Former Chair of IRA's Teacher Educator Award Committee - Numerous committees in CCIRA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Michael Opitz provides on- and off-site professional development through Heinemann Professional Development.