by Melissa Taylor
Reading is everything. Reading = learning. Most of us would do anything to get our kids loving to read.
Most of us just don’t know what to do.
I wrote BOOK LOVE: HELP YOUR CHILD GROW FROM RELUCTANT TO ENTHUSIASTIC READER because I had to. Parents like us need an easy-to-read guide of ideas for what to do for their child’s specific needs. Because not only did I teach reluctant readers for over a decade, my daughters were reluctant readers.
My first daughter arrived in this world with the wiggles. She didn’t want to cuddle while mommy read her a picture book. Once she was strapped into her high chair, eating, she was a finally the captive audience for books.
In BOOK LOVE, I explain that there are four big reasons kids dislike reading:
- too boring
- too sitty (my eldest daughter)
- too blurry
- too tricky
For each reason, I provide lots of ideas for games, activities, crafts, and products that just might get your child loving to read.
The important thing is to discover why your child doesn’t like to read. Then, you can address it with more success.
When my second daughter came along, loving books, I assumed that her love would last forever. (Ha. You know what they say about assumptions.)
At Kindergarten, the school’s worksheet-palooza killed all passion for learning and books.
For this daughter, books were boring. She needed good books—books rich in story and imagination. Not dull worksheets photocopied and stapled together.
So, BOOK LOVE was born.
For those of you whose kids find reading too tricky, I elaborate on specific skills (alphabet, phonics, rhyming, fluency, comprehension) providing activities and games for each. Plus, you’ll find tons of book lists interest.
Book Love give parents just what we need—easy-to-access information and ideas raising a reader, and for reluctant readers.
Reading is everything after all. We must do everything possible to get our kids to love to read.
Melissa Taylor is an educator with a Master’s in Education, a freelance writer, a blogger at Imagination Soup, and a mom of two. BOOK LOVE is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com.
One lucky blog reader will win their choice—either a paperback or Kindle version—of BOOK LOVE. To enter the random drawing, ask Melissa a question about reluctant readers or how to encourage a love of reading. A winner will be selected on December 27th. Good luck and happy reading!
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
71 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 19, 2012 at 9:19 am
Rita Antoinette Borg
Hi Melissa
Do you think that reading aloud to children will make them less reluctant to read?
Rita
December 19, 2012 at 10:22 am
Melissa Taylor
Reading aloud to kids is the best thing you can do to give them a love for stories. Research tells us it’s the single best thing a parent can do to help children be literate.
December 19, 2012 at 9:23 am
Elaine Kearns
Hi Melissa, I can’t wait to recommend this book to my parents! 🙂
December 19, 2012 at 10:21 am
Melissa Taylor
thanks!
December 19, 2012 at 9:28 am
julietclarebell
Hi Melissa, thanks for this. I’m a children’s author, ex developmental psychologist and I’ve got a grant in Birmingham, UK, at the moment to engage more primary children in our local area in reading for pleasure. In my grant there’s a focus on trying to engage Pakistani boys in reading for pleasure as it is a well-documented issue in the city’s schools. We’ve got Dads’ mornings, where dads come in and read to their children -in any language- before school (and get a free breakfast); in a few weeks, I’ll be taking ten parents and their 3-5 year old children per week, in our library, and talking about the importance of reading (and showing them tips on how they can share picture books to best effect) and am working with people within the communities to try and turn reading for pleasure/to your children a normal part of each family’s culture. There’s going to be a school magazine (with lots of author interviews), two book clubs and more. It’s a really exciting project (run on a shoe-string of course!) but I’m always up for hearing any new tips/thoughts on how we can make the most of what we’re doing. Any thoughts? Thank you, All the best, and hooray for writing that book! Clare.
December 19, 2012 at 10:24 am
Melissa Taylor
WOW – it sounds like you’re doing fantastic work, Clare! Hooray for you!! Will you keep me posted on how it goes? melissa@imaginationsoup.net I love it!!
As far as tips — food. Always have food, parents love that. 🙂 And, choice – let the dads and kids choose when possible to give ownership. (You know this I’m sure.)
Best wishes!
December 19, 2012 at 9:29 am
Laura S.
Hi Melissa, I have a very reluctant reader (2nd grader). We read aloud together A LOT ( I read a page, she reads a page), but I also want her to read independently (and in her head). Any suggestions for fostering that when it’s met with great resistance?
December 19, 2012 at 10:27 am
Melissa Taylor
Is the book just right for her? (5 finger test to tell http://imaginationsoup.net/2009/10/picking-a-book-at-just-right-reading-level/) Check that first – maybe go a bit easier on the level of book.
Let her choose which book to read. Give her pre-approved choices if necessary. Choice is very motivating.
See if you can write a book together to read. Sometimes reading your own writing is motivating.
What about graphic novels like Toon Books?
December 19, 2012 at 9:44 am
aneducationinbooks
I believe there is a book out there for everyone, and once that one book speaks to you, you are hooked forever. Sometimes it takes a long time to find the first one.
When my kids were little, and in my lower elementary classroom, books didn’t have to be a sitting down thing. I found that once I started reading a good book, the story drew them in. I have seen the most energetic kids on the planet get sucked in by books.
December 19, 2012 at 10:28 am
Melissa Taylor
Exactly!! But if they need to wiggle, I say let them wiggle. Also, if a child is ADHD, you’ll see them hyper focus when he/she is really engaged. That’s not to say that kids who like to move are ADHD, but it’s one thing that may play into it.
December 19, 2012 at 9:45 am
Katia Raina
Hi Melissa,
Any advice on getting a child/young teen (13) back into reading? What if they once loved it, but then seemed to have fallen out of love? What if their book-loving parent keeps trying to toss a variety of titles they think the child would enjoy, but none of it seems to please the said child? 🙂 Thank you!
December 19, 2012 at 9:53 am
Michelle Levin
As a teacher, parent and writer of children’s books, THANK YOU! What a great resource for everyone. I have a 4 year old who is started reading (I know, I know, he just is) but he doesn’t want to read to us. Any tips?
December 19, 2012 at 10:31 am
Melissa Taylor
Don’t worry about it. Relax and let it happen naturally. He might want to read to the computer to record his voice – or to a stuffed animal or pet.
You might show him how fun it is to read in silly voices and see if after you do it, he will imitate you. (printable bookmark of voices: http://book-love.net/uploads/Silly_Voices_Bookmarks.pdf)
🙂 Melissa
December 19, 2012 at 9:55 am
Peyton Leung
Hi Melissa, I was wondering about your take on reading from books and reading from electronic sources. What do you see as significant differences? Will e-reading provide a new way to help more children become enthusiastic readers?
December 19, 2012 at 10:34 am
Melissa Taylor
I think yes, Peyton. Some kids find the electronic thing enticing in itself so it’s a good way in to reading. There is still no good research on eye strain (my big worry) but something to keep in mind. I wrote about some differences here: http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/09/what-parents-need-to-know-about-reading-on-an-ipad-or-nook-or-kindle/
🙂 Melissa
December 19, 2012 at 9:57 am
Joanna
In your experience, does a love of being read to transfer into a love of reading by oneself? Thanks!
December 19, 2012 at 10:36 am
Melissa Taylor
not always — some kids love to be read to but have other challenges when reading themselves, making it tricky and hard. But, it’s at least a good start and once you figure out how to help your child through the challenges (if any) then you’ll be fine usually b/c he or she knows the prize at the end of the tunnel is this amazing story, the book in itself is the reward.
December 19, 2012 at 9:59 am
mziskjr
I think my daughter is a resistant reader due to mild learning disabilities. Do you have any ideas for how to overcome that?
December 19, 2012 at 10:02 am
Tasha Tripplett
We read at night together, but as a parent I find it hard to force my kids to read when they get so much homework already. What are your views on this?
December 19, 2012 at 10:38 am
Melissa Taylor
I don’t know if you’re going to love my answer but I have my kids skip homework in favor of reading, at least in K – 3. The teachers aren’t thrilled with me, and I do have them do some math but I believe that learning to read is the most important thing so I prioritize that — not busy work or work that can be accomplished within the school day.
December 19, 2012 at 10:10 am
MLSokoloff
A question for Melissa:
My 8-year-old third grade granddaughter loves “girly” books. (I think this means books such as Babysitters Club books.) She is a competent reader, but her teacher has requested that she branch out and explore other genres. Any hints on how to make this happen? Some of her interests include sports, piano, and art.
Thanks,
Mykee
Myka-Lynne Sokoloff Curriculum • Instruction • Assessment 61 Keziah’s Lane Orleans, MA 02653 774.316.4411
December 19, 2012 at 10:11 am
Christine
How can you help children to transition from reading aloud to reading silently / in their heads?
December 19, 2012 at 10:39 am
Melissa Taylor
It usually happens naturally but you can remind them and model for them how you do it. I have taught a few children who were such auditory processors that they seemed to need to hear themselves read out loud. In that case, help them whisper.
December 19, 2012 at 10:40 am
Kim MacPherson
Great post, Melissa… thanks! my third-grader reads far above his level, but he doesn’t ENJOY reading. He does his 30-45 minutes a day of reading with GREAT reluctance and even disdain. I’m convinced it’s because reading isn’t as fast-paced as a computer game or a live tennis game or other things he enjoys… all of them fast-paced for either brain or body. How do you make reading fun for a kid like that?
December 19, 2012 at 10:42 am
Melissa Taylor
Kim, what kind of books is he reading? How about switching things up — more non-fiction books like Weird But True, short Adventure or Horror stories, choose your own ending kind of thing? Or are you already reading those?
December 19, 2012 at 11:02 am
Laura Renauld
This book is so needed, Melissa. Thanks for writing it! I taught a lot of reluctant readers when I taught third grade and they were the most reluctant when reading alone. Do you think book partners (whether with a peer or parent or volunteer) offers a great benefit for learning to love reading? I used book partners a lot, so I’m hoping for a little validation 🙂
December 19, 2012 at 11:19 am
Melissa Taylor
YES! Kids love to be social so if you can make reading social, go for it! Plus, don’t you love to hear the conversations kids have about the book & their thinking. So fantastic. Good for you, Laura!!
December 19, 2012 at 11:06 am
Deborah Holt Williams
Hi, Melissa–my grandson loves to read. He’s 11, and we’ve taken turns and just finished reading Eragon. I’ve left out some of the more violent parts when it was my turn. He’s a well-adjusted, kind boy, plays trombone in his middle school band, loves his dog, etc, so my question is, is it ok to share books with him that have some violent content?
December 19, 2012 at 11:23 am
Melissa Taylor
Deborah, I can’t answer that for you. I can tell you that in my experience, I don’t like to censor books. I prefer to teach children how to self-censor – is this what I want in my head? I don’t think book violence has ever been linked to acting out like we see from video games, tv, or movies – because it’s limited to a child’s background knowledge & own imagination. Hope that helps.
December 19, 2012 at 11:11 am
Lori Alexander
Melissa–What a great book topic! My 8-yr old son reads with high accuracy but he’s a slow reader. Any tips for getting him to pick up the pace? Thanks!
December 19, 2012 at 11:27 am
Melissa Taylor
Practice makes better so the more he reads, the faster he’ll get. But, I do wonder if you could have him read aloud to you a page or two so you can see if there’s anything else happening – is he losing his place, struggling with words? Or maybe he’s just thinking deeply while he reads.
You can always do timed reading – race against the clock – with a program like Reading Plus. (Online) Also, you might try echo reading – you read, then he echos you.
December 19, 2012 at 11:33 am
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Do you think if you read to your children on a regular basis, such as before they go to bed, they will learn to love to read?
December 19, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Melissa Taylor
yes, most of the time. 🙂
December 19, 2012 at 11:53 am
Majella Maas
I always felt that helping my Kindergarten students to fall in love with reading was the most important work of our year together. I went beyond the curriculum to introduce engaging books that I read with full expression. Some books are to be read and enjoyed “just because”. A big problem with our mandatory curriculum is that early on little ones learn that they are reading for comprehension, not pleasure. Children can love books and reading but still be unwilling dissectors of books. In our rush to create skilled readers we often kill their joy for reading.
December 19, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Melissa Taylor
you sound like a great teacher! Yes, I agree with you. If we just could teach how we know kids learn with a workshop, constructivist approach!
Have you read Readicide?
December 19, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Sheila Wipperman
We were visiting friends years ago who had 3 girls and 3 boys. The girls were all upstairs curled up in chairs reading, and the boys were downstairs running around having a great time! The difference between their interests was so obvious. Do you find that it is harder to get boys to engage in reading?
December 19, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Melissa Taylor
Sheila,
Yes. We have to know our boys, what they like and what engages them. Technology? Funny or gross books? Reading on an exercise ball so they can move? That kind of thing.
December 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Jacqueline Adams
This topic interests me not only as a parent, but also as a writer, since I often write material for reluctant readers. What do you feel is the most important thing that I can do as a writer to help reluctant readers?
December 19, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Melissa Taylor
do what you do best – write compelling stories that engage kids! 🙂 I’m sure you’re already doing it.
December 19, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Lauri
Hi Melissa, To start my 1 year old nephew down the path of loving books and reading, I decided to give him books for Christmas as well as a subscription to BabyBug Magazine. Is there anything else I can do?
December 19, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Melissa Taylor
what a great auntie you are! Sounds like you’re putting him on the reading track to me. 🙂
December 19, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Christie Wright Wild
I’m wondering what “too blurry” means. Literal VISION?
I’m guessing my 3rd grader son thinks reading is too sitty. He’s very active, but can play his DS for hours. He loves to be read to, but virtually refuses to read on his own, unless it’s for a school assignment. I get him books of interest at his own reading level (he’s a really good reader), but he has yet to pick one up and actually read it on his own. Wondering when/what his “trigger” will be to change his attitude. Perhaps I’ll just ask him why he doesn’t like to read, or at least he says he doesn’t like to. Although he does love reading Pokemon cards and Pokemon category books. I think he’s a nonfiction guy, but he still loves stories, just won’t read them himself. What’s a mom to do?
December 19, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Melissa Taylor
go with Pokemon for now – then try to find something similar that has books. I just was sent an Annoying Orange graphic novel – maybe something like that.
December 21, 2012 at 11:08 am
Lisa Rogers
My students with similar interests love the Graphic History series by Capstone publishing: Curse of King Tut’s Tomb, First Moon Landing, etc.
December 19, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Shell ledrew
What in your experience catches a child and reluctant reader first… The pictures or the words….?
December 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Christie Wright Wild
What an intriguing question. I’m guessing the pictures. My Kindergarten daughter picked a book out. I read it at bed time. We got to the end and chuckled. She said, “I already looked at the pictures on the bus.” But after I read it, she understood the story more fully. Wondering what others might say.
December 19, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Melissa Taylor
Shell,
I’d say neither – it’s the story, what it’s about. Sometimes I start reading a book w/out asking if they want to hear it, until I know I’ve got them hooked. Of course, the evil plan is to stop (because of how “busy” I am) and see if they’ll pick it up on their own b/c they MUST know the ending. 🙂
December 19, 2012 at 2:20 pm
LeslieG
I’m another one wondering about the “too blurry” part–thinking it most likely means that kids need their eyes tested–but as a writer, also wondering, if you meant that a book’s meaning may be too vague, and could be brought into better focus?
December 19, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Christie Wright Wild
Ooh, maybe so. Didn’t think of that as a possibility. So, a difficult story to understand (i.e. blurry). Hmmm…
December 19, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Melissa Taylor
interestingly enough, the issues of vision are not usually not the need for glasses. Usually, children are having issues with the process in the brain – could be a tracking issue, dyslexia, those kinds of things.
December 19, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Desiree Batson
My daughter will sit for hours examining bugs, creating art – she’s all about the creative and reading a book is not creative but passive. She wants to create and reading doesn’t (in her mind) offer her the chance to be creative. It’s boring. What can I do?
December 19, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Melissa Taylor
a few ideas to try:
– bring art into writing and have her read her own writing (picture books?)
– reading non-fiction art books for inspiration and ideas
– read stories w/ artistic components (A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull)
December 19, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Claudia Broglio
I was (and still am) a reluctant reader. It’s been a lifelong struggle. I’d rather process information visually or auditorilly. It’s just that simple. That’s why I love, love, love picture books and short audiobooks. Of course, PBs didn’t get me through school…graphs, graphic organizers, technical illustrations, etc., did the trick for me there.
December 19, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Melissa Taylor
How do you like graphic novels?
December 19, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Beth Spotts Consugar
My daughter is learning to read. She will start kindergarten next Fall. While she usually enjoys reading, she breaks into tears if she isn’t in the mood to read before bed. If she doesn’t want to read, I will read to her. She is also a great storyteller – she will make up her own story, or make up a story based on the pictures in a book. I feel fortunate that she enjoys reading, and I wish all kids would like reading.
December 20, 2012 at 9:08 am
Melissa Taylor
thanks for sharing that, Beth.
December 20, 2012 at 2:20 pm
ray hunt
Melissa, I have a 13 yr old son who slammed out the Harry Porter books in a year, then moved thru a few Sci-fi books… then started The Lord Of the Rings. He’s stopped reading. What would be good to him started again?
December 21, 2012 at 9:35 am
Katia Raina
That was EXACTLY my question, Ray! You’re describing my son to a T. I keep trying to shove all sorts of books at him (from Stephen King, to non-fiction), but he doesn’t seem interested. Meanwhile, for what it’s worh, do try the “Rangers Apprentice” series for my son. Mine loved it, and re-read it many times over (and that was AFTER he’s gone through Lord of The Rings) 🙂
December 28, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Melissa Taylor
Ray- I’m so sorry, I missed your comment for a few days! Curious situation. Did he like the Lord of the Rings because those books are dense and I wonder if he got bogged down with the description. (It’s not for everyone, kind of like Steinbeck and Dickens if you ask me.) What about sticking with Sci-fi/fantasy and trying authors like Cornelia Funke, Brandon Mull, Eoin Colfer, Rick Riordan, Christopher Paolini, or Susan Cooper? Or dystopian authors like Paolo Bacigalupi, China Mieville, Veronica Roth, or James Dashner? Try reading it with or to him – or letting him listen to the audio to get him hooked on the story. Kindle might be motivating, too – my daughter sometimes only will read if it’s on the iPad or Kindle. Whatever works, right!?
Good luck! Hope that helps.
December 28, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Melissa Taylor
I just realized my comment didn’t go through — trying to remember and retype it all . . .
I wonder if the writing in Lord of the Rings bogged him down –it’s pretty descriptive and not for everyone, especially if he’s more of an action and adventure kid. How about encouraging (reading to him, audio books, Kindle books) other authors in sci-fi/fantasy/dystopian? He might like James Dasher, Paolo Bacigalupi, Brandon Mull, Susanne Collins, Rick Riordan, Christopher Paolini, or Eoin Colfer, to name a few. Also, he’s not too old to be read to — even if he says he is! Start reading a good book to him at dinner or sometime where he is sitting still and can’t escape. See what happens. 🙂
Best of luck — and see if you can find out why he started but didn’t finish the Lord of the Rings. That might help.
December 20, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Jennifer Phillips
One of my daughters is a teen but reads several levels below other kids her age and is developmentally delayed/socially immature. Finding books with short chapters that aren’t too babyish but also not too mature in content, with language she can navigate, is quite the journey. Any recommendations? Thanks!
December 21, 2012 at 11:06 am
Lisa Rogers
Hi Jennifer–I’m a writer and elementary library teacher. Have you tried novels in verse? Sharon Creech’s Love that Dog and Hate that Cat might work, or Karen Hesse’s Out of the Dust. Audiobooks also are terrific for both reluctant readers and those who have trouble decoding difficult written language but can process it when read aloud. I also like The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo for short and satisfying chapters.
December 29, 2012 at 9:52 am
Jennifer Phillips
Lisa–thanks for the suggestions. She did navigate through Edward Tulane and enjoyed it but I don’t think we’ve tried the others you suggest, so we will. She actually doesn’t do well with audiobooks because she has receptive speech delays as well. She gets frustrated because the readers read too fast. I even found a series where you could slow the pace of the reading and the slowest pace was still overwhelming for her. Over the break, she’s been working through a Scholastic Dear America historical fiction book that takes the form of a diary with short chapters and she seems to be both enjoying it and able to understand key points. Our school librarian helps out a lot. It’s definitely a journey!
December 21, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Melissa Taylor
That is tough! Maybe it would help if she used the Kindle or Nook to read so other kids wouldn’t be able to see what she’s reading.
As far as book selection, here are a few ideas – hard to say w/out knowing her age and reading ability but that’s where a good librarian can be helpful!
Capital Mysteries by Ron Roy
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
Horse Crazy books by Alison Lester
World According to Humphrey by Betty Birney
Roald Dahl books
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
Judy Bloom books
some of the newer American Girl books
Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
December 22, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Melissa Taylor
wow – must have been distracted when I typed this. How about Judy Blume instead.
December 29, 2012 at 9:58 am
Jennifer Phillips
Thanks! These are great suggestions. I’m printing the list from you and Lisa above to give her. The school librarian and her reading teacher help her out a lot but she often rejects their suggestions, and mine, and will insist there are NO BOOKS in the universe for her to read. But she does better when picking from a list where she feels like she has some control over what she’s trying.
December 21, 2012 at 7:32 am
thiskidreviewsbooks
What would you recommend a parent to do to for a kid who claims to “hate” reading? Great post! 🙂
December 21, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Melissa Taylor
I would try to determine the why. Does she hate reading b/c she hasn’t found the right book or because he or she finds it too tricky?
December 21, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Sally Matheny
Great post. I have an eight-year-old reluctant reader. One reason he didn’t want to read out loud was because he struggled with it. Someone suggested to check and see if he was right-eye dominant. He was not. Most right-handed kids are right eye dominant. I was told when kids are first learning to read it is more difficult to process words if they are not same eye-hand dominant. When I told my son this, for some reason he relaxed more when reading. It was as if he felt okay if he stumbled over a word. He had an explaination for it now and mistakes do not seem to bother him as much now. My question is should I immediately correct him after misreading a word or let him continue reading? He doesn’t seem to catch it on his own, even if the misread word doesn’t make sense in the sentence.
December 22, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Melissa Taylor
Before you read, make it his goal for the reading time to go back and correct words he misread. Show how you do it. Read something wrong and keep going. Say, “Hmmm, something didn’t make sense – I think I better go back and see if I read that right . . . ” So, no, don’t stop him, let him continue reading. Stop him at the end of the sentence. Have him reflect if all the words he read sounded right and made sense. The goal is for him to figure it out, be self-reflective. Maybe give him sticky notes to use for questionable words – or when he goes back, he gets a sticky note. Add them up and praise how great it is that he figured out that he needed to fix a word.
December 26, 2012 at 3:15 pm
susan crites
good read – thank you!