Tips For Encouraging Kids to Read for Pleasure  

by Brian Black

“I am always for getting a boy forward in his learning; for that is a sure good. I would let him at first read any English book which happens to engage his attention; because you have done a great deal when you have brought him to have entertainment from a book. He’ll get better books afterwards.”  James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson

Be satisfied with what your child wants to read

Boswell was onto something.  Let your child choose any material that is of interest.  When something completely captivates a child’s interest, she'll read.  It might be tricky sometimes to know what topics and genres will interest a child, but parents usually know at least one book that has completely enthralled their child. The important thing is not to give up, and don't be discouraged when your child tells you what is not preferred.  Keep presenting all different types of reading material, from all different reading levels.  Ask your child specifically what he or she would like you to get.

It's okay for them to read "below grade level"

When it comes to pleasure/choice book reading, kids need to read what they want.  If your child is a struggling reader, it's imperative he practices with easy reading.  Let your kids read whatever interests them. 

Help them find "picture books"

Many so-called “picture books” actually have huge amounts of text.  These are really easy to find on the library websites.  Search for topics that interest your child, and under the advanced search options you can find books that are written for kids.  For example, if your child is interested in The Beatles, a regular search will reveal books that would not be appropriate, but there are many young adult books that are in a picture book format, but contain great information at a child’s reading level.  Every child has a non fiction interest.

Make books available everywhere

Find times for your child to read that might seem unusual but are times when reading is easy to do.  Some kids take a long time to eat breakfast, so have books that are large and stay open easily on the breakfast table.  Place books that interest your child in the car, in the bathroom, or any other place where reading can be done.

Say yes to any book (within your limits of what is appropriate)

Have you ever said no to a book your child picked out at a bookstore or the library?  Because he had already read it?  Because you thought it was below her reading level?  Because you didn’t think it was appropriate?  Because it wasn’t quality literature?  Next time you take your child to a bookstore, tell him he can pick out five (or whatever number you think is appropriate) books—any five books.  And then purchase them (or check them out).

Become interested in what your child is reading

Read what she is reading and then talk to her about it.  Share your thoughts and ask what your child thinks.  Do not evaluate or judge your child’s responses, even if they aren’t phrased in a manner you think is conducive to discussing literature.  Ask them to tell you more and to explain, but don't use this as an opportunity to lecture or preach.  Listen.

Read with your child

If you want to set aside some time for reading, make it fun and read with your child.  Make hot chocolate.  Have some tea.  Eat some cookies.  Have a cozy, comfortable place to read.  And read together.  Read your own book or read what your child is reading.

Buy your kids comic strip books, illustrated novels, and graphic novels

Buy your child a favorite comic strip book.  Kids love these and will devour them.  They’ll also re-read them ad nauseam.  I've never seen a copy of Calvin and Hobbes that wasn't in tatters.

Comic books are still very popular today, and comic book stores are wonderful places to find reading material.  Every neighborhood in Portland has one.  They have great selections of graphic novels, comics, and other books in that genre.

Illustrated novels are books with pictures.  Some books today have absolutely gorgeous illustrations, either in color or pencil/charcoal.  A perfect example is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

Graphic novels look like comic books, but are novels.  They have the same types of characters and story lines as any other types of novels, just drawn "comic book" style.  Popular graphic novels are the Bone series, Robot Dreams, American Born Chinese, Moomin, and many others.  It gets easier every day to find them online and at the library.  (Powell's is tricky…they have them in the kids section, in the adult section, and in the coffee shop, of all places.  But their employees are wonderful at helping to find them.)

Buy your child "series" books

Boy, do these get a bad rap.  And yet kids don't care what the critics say—they read them anyway.  One of the reasons why these are especially good for struggling readers is they don't have to struggle as hard to read them.  The characters either remain the same or change very little.  The plots are predictable and are easy to comprehend.  Most importantly, they have exciting plots kids can relate to and are fun to read.  We definitely want kids reading better quality books, and any book a child wants to read will help develop reading skills that will help them when they read high level books.  I notice when kids read nothing but the books we assign in school, there can be a struggle because the kids aren't used to the conventions of a novel, and the high reading level of quality books can impede a child's reading progress.  Practicing with easier books is the number one thing a child can do to improve novel-reading skills.  Popular series books include (and many are well-written):  Goosebumps, The Baby-Sitters Club, Boxcar Children, Animorphs, American Girl, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Amazon has an entire section devoted to series books.

Rent the movie, then buy the book

Or vice versa.  This is another tip for struggling or reluctant readers.  Seeing a movie first helps build a child's background knowledge, which makes reading easier.  Kids get interested in a movie's plot and characters, and then want more, so a book is the natural follow-up.  Books are usually very different from movies, so there is plenty of new material.  One of my favorite combinations is Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce.  He wrote the novel and the screenplay, and both are fantastic. 

Subscribe to kids' magazines

There are many magazines that cater to kids' interests.  A short list for age 8-14 includes:  Calliope, Cracked, Earthsavers, Hip, Koala Club, Metrokids, Muse, Otterwise, Racing for Kids, Soccer Jr., Sports Illustrated for Kids, and Teen Beat.