I noticed that I can keep Daniel's attention on any story from any book, especially new one's, if I make sure I do a few things, perhaps you may find some of these helpful:
1. Read every children's book to yourself first before introducing it to your child:
Doing this allows you to pay special attention to the different characters, their roles in the story, and their behavior. This helps me to use different vocal tones and voices for each character in each situation. For example, in one of my son's books, Dewey Does It, one of the characters is a turtle, Marty. Now, as adults, when we think of turtles, we think of a slow, methodical, wise animal. So when I'm reading this story to Daniel, when I get to Marty's part, I will speak in a SLOOOW, draw-out tone...something like Snuffy from Sesame Street, but not quite as boring and sleepy. By taking some time to read the story first, and knowing the gist of the story and a feel for the characters, I'm better able to do the next thing....
2. Let your voice BE each character:
Use what you learned from reading the story first to deliver the proper vocal inflections based on the story. I'm not saying you have to even use a different voice for each character, but if the story is going through a sad part...then use a sad voice....if people are playing...then have a more upbeat energetic tone...if someone is doing something mean...then speak in a tone that helps your child understand that something "not good or not nice" is happening here. It really get's them riveted into the story and they learn so much more about what is happening.
Babies and young children learn primarily from their senses (touch, taste, hearing, sight, smell), and this is what they use to understand the world while they are developing their ability to understand theirs and others' emotions and behavior, and apply them to situations. I've found my son's hearing sense to be very strong in regards to his learning and development. So I use that fact when reading stories to him, by really exaggerating my voice throughout the story, based on what's happening, who's talking, and what they are doing. Part of this is for me, because it makes the story so much more fun when I read it, especially if its the 347th time I've done so.
3. Let them see how excited you are to read to them!
I can't emphasize this enough, your child's interest in ANYTHING will be at least partially based on their perception of YOUR interest in it. Show them that you are EXCITED about reading to them, and this is a FUN thing to do. If you show excitement, they will do the same, and equate reading to FUN...and you know how much they like stuff that's fun!
4. Stimulate multiple senses:
While reading the story, try to make eye contact with your child when you get to certain areas in the story where facial expressions can bring them a more complete understanding of what emotions are being felt. Happy and exciting parts= Happy and excited face. Sad parts = Sad face. Parts where a character is confused, or doesn't know = Use your confused face. That way you are stimulating more of their visual in a 3-dimensional way, versus just them looking at a 2-dimensional page in the book.
Use your whole body. When something is BIG...show them BIG by perhaps stretching out your arms, and adjusting your vocal tone. When something is small, make tinier movements with your fingers and speak a bit softer. Guide their hand to something on the page that is small or big or high or low...and follow up with corresponding movements of your hands, feet, arms, legs, etc. This is sooo much fun and really makes a difference. We all learn better (and faster) when we have multiple senses stimulated at the same time.
Whatever way you do it...the most important thing is that you are READING to you child. Their development in school and their ability to retain information, process it, and make decisions for themselves comes back to this! So Dad's read to your son or daughter as often as you can. Even if you and your child are not in the same place, you can still read to them over the phone. Where there is a will there is a way!
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