The publication Let's read with Alfred the elf contains:

1) motivational texts for children suitable for practicing reading technique, reading aloud

2) tasks for working with the text, leading to the focus of attention on the understanding of the read text, the development of auditory analysis and synthesis, the refinement of linguistic feeling and the development of logical thinking

3) instructions for the child's work

4) methodical instructions for adults which:

- draws attention to possible pitfalls when practicing reading technique

- summarizes the principles that should be followed when reading

You have just caught the attention of an unconventional storybook for beginning readers. Was it perhaps its title, illustration, graphic design that led you to leaf through it? And so, while browsing, you have reached the back of the cover, on which I would like to point out some of the book's interesting points, and write a few words about its author and its illustrator.

So let's start with the author Jiřina Bednářová and illustrator, painter Richard Šmarda. After previously publishing books focused on children's drawing and writing, they have now joined their creative forces in a book dedicated to the development of reading. With her witty text, the author is able to interest young readers in such a way that they like to correct, together with the pupils of the Naschválové school, the confusion caused by the elf Alfréd, who settled in Naschválové. But he is quite a nice sprite, because he non-violently guides young readers to play with their mother tongue with the help of enticing pictures of a painter who understands children, funny tasks and puzzles. And so gradually the little reader, sometimes with the support of a close adult, gets to know the meaning of words, sentences and the entire text. This develops his visual and auditory perception and, of course, also logical thinking, when he corrects sentences confused by the sprite and, finally, longer texts. The author, a counseling pedagogue with many years of experience in supporting children with learning difficulties, guides the young reader in thoughtful and methodically excellent steps to the joy of playing with words, to understanding the text. The book is organized in such a way that the child will eagerly anticipate what Alfred the elf will do, what pranks he will prepare for children and adults. We adults see that the child is motivated to complete tasks, his curiosity is encouraged again and again, he works with joy, we don't have to force him to read.

If you read the author's letter to adults at the end of the book, you will learn how to approach the reading development of a child who lags behind his classmates or has more difficulty in reading, how to avoid incorrect procedures that ultimately lead to failure in school and dislike reading. In case of greater difficulties, it is advisable to seek help, preferably in a pedagogical-psychological counseling center.

I believe that, just like me, you consider the ability to read well, to understand written text, to be able to express yourself promptly as a skill important for a person's life, his success in human society. The success of a person, his application in his chosen profession, requires the mastery of foreign languages, which is related to language sensitivity, mastery of the mother tongue. I'm sure you'll agree that understanding the text you read is important not only for a pleasant reading experience, but especially for obtaining important information, solving tasks in the field of humanities and natural sciences. What good is it to us if we know how to calculate well, if we do not understand what we are supposed to calculate? It is therefore worth paying some attention to children's reading, supporting the child's interest in books and reading. This book will, in my opinion, be beneficial for all children who like to read. They will find in it, just like us adults, a lot of new things that need to be thought about when looking for a solution. They will also find humor in it, highlighted by attractive illustrations.

PhDr. Alena Šafrová

external teacher at the Faculty of Education of the MU in Brno

The book is intended for children aged 6 to 10, all pages are illustrated.

The worksheets are designed for children who are learning to read and improving their reading skills. Each leaf is divided into two parts.

The first part consists of a continuous text that motivationally introduces the page and at the same time can serve as a text for practicing the reading technique.

The second part of the text is intended for the child's independent work with the text.

It is supplemented with instructions for working with the text.