At a nearby public library, they have an activity for beginning readers–several “therapy” cats are brought in and young readers get to stop by the library and “read” their favorite books to the cats. I think it is a fabulous idea for the newly reading. It reminded me of when my own children were beginning readers and would read to the cat, younger siblings, the fish, and even rose bushes in the flower garden! We didn’t have a dog at the time, but I could surely see how a trusty, faithful dog might be a fine reading companion as well.
My own childhood was spent on a farm of sorts out in the country, and I remember many times taking my books out to the barn to read with the goats or rabbits, or stretching out in the garden near the clucking chickens to while away a pleasant afternoon. Beginning readers need all the practice they can get and it can be pretty frustrating stumbling over those words and sentences. Taking advantage of the still-present magical thinking in a five, six, or seven-year-old and encouraging them to read to animals and such can be a fun way to get more practice in without mom or dad having to sit and listen to every single line.
Now, I’m not exactly sure what a “therapy” cat is–if it’s anything like a therapy dog, I suppose it is raised and trained to put up with various handlers and be flexible and patient. But, I know for a fact that your own household pet will certainly do the trick, as long as they can take a break from rambunctiousness long enough to sit still for a story (maybe while they’re napping or bathing?)–or why not take your reader to the park with a stack of beginning books about ducks and water and read to the ducks and geese? There are so many creative ways to find ready-made “audiences” for your beginning reader!