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

“Parents and grandparents shouldn’t miss The Enchanted Hour.” — James Patterson, international bestselling author

A Wall Street Journal writer’s conversation-changing look at how reading aloud makes adults and children smarter, happier, healthier, more successful and more closely attached, even as technology pulls in the other direction.

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 of reading aloud 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 screen time and 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 literacy skills, fosters imagination, and kindles a lifelong appreciation of language, stories and pictures.

Bringing together the latest scientific research on child development, 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.

Discover the research, recommendations, and transformative power of reading aloud:

• Strengthen Parent-Child Relationships: Explore how the simple act of reading together releases a “bouquet of neurochemicals” that strengthens emotional bonds and fosters a sense of security at any age.
• Optimal Brain Development: Grounded in the latest fMRI studies, learn how sharing picture books stimulates deep brain networks in young children, creating the “just right” conditions for cognitive growth that screens can’t replicate.
• A Rich Vocabulary: Uncover how reading aloud exposes listeners to millions of words they might not otherwise hear, building the linguistic keys they need to unlock the world and gain a cognitive advantage.
• Reading Recommendations for Every Age: Move beyond bedtime stories with practical tips and curated book lists designed to console, uplift, and invigorate listeners from the nursery to the nursing home.

“Parents and grandparents shouldn’t miss The Enchanted Hour, but more important, we all need to heed this delightful book’s wise advice: Please read to your kids.  It’s not the school’s job to get our kids reading, it’s our job – and it’s a wonderful, magical act of love and caring.” - James Patterson, international bestselling author

“In her heartfelt first book, Gurdon makes an earnest... case for reading aloud.... An inspiring argument for sharing the joys of reading.” - Kirkus Reviews

“The Enchanted Hour enthralled and inspired me in equal measure.... Meghan Cox Gurdon’s book is the most charming, gentle encouragement to step away from your phone, and into the embrace of your family’s most vivid imaginations.” - Sarah Ivens, author of Forest Therapy

“Meghan Gurdon has given today’s parents much needed wisdom to raise attentive and curious children in the Age of Distraction. I hope her book finds a huge audience.” - Rosemary Wells, author of the Max and Ruby series

“Don’t pick up this bewitching book! It’s so enchanting you won’t be able to put it down.” - Mem Fox, author of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes and Reading Magic

“Gurdon convincingly describes the importance and delight of sharing books with loved ones. . . . For anybody interested in reading, especially parents, teachers, caregivers, and librarians, this inspirational work proclaims its joys and rewards.” - Library Journal (starred review)

“This book shines a light on the incredible power of reading aloud for everyone – not just children. . . . A joyous book that’ll have you scrambling to the library.” - Yours Magazine (UK)

“An inspirational account that will make you want to grab a book and share it with someone you love.” - Sun (UK)

“This wonderful audiobook is a fully enjoyable listen. . . . [Gurdon’s] pacing is excellent, and her ability to maintain listener attention is impressive. . . . An important and engaging audiobook.” - AudioFile Magazine