Book Lovers: Tips To Inspire

Reading is one of the best habits that should be instilled early on in children. If you start at a young age, it’s more likely that a child will grow up to be a lifelong bookworm. This means that they’ll be intellectually curious, will (hopefully) do well in school, and they’ll always have a wonderful hobby! After all, reading a good book is one of life’s great pleasures. So, how do we encourage the little ones in our life to love books?

It’s all about enthusiasm! If a teacher or parent (or whoever is reading) is excited and happy about what they’re doing, this will definitely help to instill interest in the child.

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature.”

―Maya Angelou

(Illustration by Richard Scarry)

Helpful Hints

It can be a challenge, at times, to get children to focus. Sometimes reading for leisure can be the trickiest of all because, when kids aren’t in school, they’d rather be doing something else, so it’s essential that you make it fun and exciting. Below are some tips on how to raise a voracious reader:

• First off: allow the child to (within reason) choose the book they want to read/have read to them. Choose books that deal with subject matter the child finds interesting. Fun illustrations are always helpful and, even though we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, sometimes a captivating book jacket can do the trick when engaging in a story.
• Read in a fun place! Go outdoors on a nice day or find a special nook in the house where it’s quiet and cozy. Associate the reading corner with positivity and pleasant surroundings filled with blankets, pillows, plush toys, and, of course, a good light. A window seat is even better!
• Engage: ask questions and start a conversation about what you’ve been reading. Having attention paid to one at a young age is invaluable as it instills confidence.

“The ability to read awoke inside of me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive.”

―Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X

• Emphasize the importance of reading! Why do we read? To learn about the world around us, to travel without taking a single step, to be able to identify emotions we’re feeling, and, ultimately, to learn universal truths.
• Read all sorts of books until you find what you and the little readers in your life enjoy. Reading for leisure shouldn’t be thought of as a chore but as a wonderful, worthwhile activity.

 “Read. Read. Read. Just don’t read one type of book. Read different books by various authors so that you develop different style.” ―R.L. Stine

Suggestions for Young Readers

• Corduroy by Don Freeman (1968) is a wonderful choice for young children (until about the age of five) as it has a likable protagonist, vivid illustrations, and a story about something they know about (toys, specifically teddy bears). Corduroy is a stuffed bear who sits on a shelf in a department store all day but, at night, he comes to life and looks for the button missing from his overalls.

• The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943) is a classic children’s book (suitable for children to begin reading around ages nine to eleven) that also resonates with adults because of its universal themes about life, love, and friendship. It tells the story of a young boy, a prince, who travels the world (including different planets) and discovers that we must look beneath the surface to find true meaning.

• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (1964) is about a boy’s relationship with an apple tree throughout his life (from childhood to old age). As the boy grows into a man, the tree is always there, always offering ripe fruit, branches for shelter, etc. The book is, ultimately, about generosity (giving and taking) and what that means. This is an important read for parents and children (ages six and up) because it can be the impetus for a worthwhile conversation and life lesson.

For more information on books that will educate and stimulate readers, visit Full Cycle Publications.