How to Encourage your children to read
It’s the last quiet hour before my oldest daughter comes home from school. The counters are shining, the dishwasher humming, and the floor freshly swept, leaving precious time for reading. While some people like to read one book at a time, I prefer to pick several books from different genres and indulge myself based on what I am in the mood for. One afternoon I might sit beside an autism expert and follow his thoughts on how best to support a nonverbal eleven year old in the public school system. The next I might dance with an elvish prince in the court of the fae. When I’m finished, I’ll place a bookmark to save my spot-- I have a beautiful metal set of bookmarks inspired by classical art-- and set it in the stack of four or five books on the table by my couch.
Today I am tucking into the Netherfield Ball with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Sunbeams gently pass through the west-facing window, filling the room with clean, natural light. A soft pressure on my arm is my 3 year old daughter, who is carefully inspecting a set of poems about flower fairies. She selected the anthology from one of the many bookshelves in my house and has left a small pile of books on the floor. I don’t mind the new mess because, well, at least it’s a productive mess. Sometimes I might even participate in it when we read together-- but for this moment we let the time pass in quiet companionable silence.
I firmly believe that one of the best ways to raise a reader is to encourage reading in the home.
The best way to encourage reading in the home is to turn your home into a library
In my house, I have a book shelf for my nonfiction collection (mostly history and language studies), I have a shelf for my fantasy books, my religious books, philosophy and psychology books, my husband's favorite authors, and three shelves of children's books. The children’s books are loosely organized. I have a special space for Dr Seuss and Sandra Boynton on the shelves, but also plenty of space for other authors: books about cars, books about flowers, fairytales, books inspired by nature, poetry, and prose.
Some books I have picked up as they were recommended to me, the Classics or whatever are new and popular. Some are hidden treasures that I read on a whim at the store and bought because the message spoke to me. Some, I sought out intentionally to help teach my children important lessons. My Magical Mark was a book I researched and purchased to help my oldest daughter view her own birthmark in a positive light. There are books that teach about making and keeping friends, books about neurodiversity, books about accepting and appreciating differences. There are books to help make trauma a little more bearable, books on grief, divorce, books on body safety. Some of the books were gifts for Christmas, or birthdays-- I always make a point of buying books for the easter basket-- some of the books were picked up at the thrift store or library sales, some were from loving relatives.
Most of the books, many of my favorites included, were sent to us in a large package from my Grandmother Helen. She started this tradition when I was a child and when she was a volunteer at the public library in New Orleans. When she was not caring for animals at the local zoo, she would take time to peruse the free books shelf outside the library, gather enough books to make a package, and send the package along with photographs she had taken of the birds-- she loved bird watching. I attribute my love for reading to the library she helped my mother build. I was delighted that when I had children of my own, she once again took the time to help me build a library for my home.
She sent wonderful books that would make you laugh, and books that would make you think. My favorites are a book about the dilemma of a Dad who wants to protect his perfect lawn from the dandelion his daughter loves; the sheep Baabwa and Wooliam who go on an adventure and teach the hungry wolf how to read; and the ecstatic Brolga that invites all the animals in the Bayou to dance with her.
Among the colorful, fun picture books was also a variety of ethnic books. As a child, I loved the Rough Faced Girl, a variation of Cinderella that appears among the Algonquin Indian Tribe near the Great Lakes. My youngest daughter enjoys looking at the pages of the Legend of the Lady Slipper, an Ojibwe tale of a young girl who braves a winter storm to deliver medicine to her village. The bloodied tracks of her feet blossomed into the vibrant Lady Slipper flowers, in recognition of her courage, love, and determination. The Faithful Friend, a Mantiniquan telling of Faithful John tells the story of Hippolyte and Clement, how they pass through perils together, facing the dangerous powers of three zombies (the traditional, Haitian zombie) on the eve of Clement’s wedding. I’ve found that having access to the beautiful illustrations and poetic language of these stories have enriched my appreciation and respect for other cultures, and I am pleased to see that grow among my children.
I believe in the power of children’s books.
The books I read as a child helped make me who I am today. They taught me to love other cultures. They taught me to love my own unique self. They taught me to love learning. I am so grateful for the wonderful people who encouraged reading in my childhood.
Here are some suggestions on how to build your kid’s library!
Library Book Sales
Pro: These books were already chosen by the library and are almost guaranteed to be an excellent read.
Con: Library Book Sales entirely depend on the quality of your local library, and may be limited in selection. Some books may carry outdated messages.
Library Summer Reading Challenges
Pro: New books that you can win by reading, what a wonderful idea!
Con: Not every library offers books as a prize in the summer reading challenge
Used Book Stores/Thrift Stores
Pro: Inexpensive books. Usually contains hidden treasures.
Con: Book condition varies. May be more difficult to sort through
Etsy/Online Retail
Pro: You can find the exact book that you are looking for
Con: You need to know the exact book you are looking for. Prices and condition vary
Book Stores/Book Fairs
Pro: Books are brand new, and sorted nicely
Con: New books cost more, and options will be more limited.
Garage Sales
Pro: the adventure of the moment! Find hidden gems and make connections with the previous owners of the books
Con:Dependent on a culture of good yard sales in your area. Book condition varies.
DO take time to read (or skim) the contents for parental approval, DON'T judge a book by its cover!
Every book has a story to tell, and every child loves a good story.
