You are browsing for books at the big chain bookstore and your kids immediately gravitate to the spin rack filled with pictures of LEGO NINJAGO, Paw Patrol, or Doc McStuffins on the covers. “Mommy, I want this one!”
We’ve all been there. It reminds me of going to the grocery store and the Baby Ruth, Bubbiliciuos bubblegum, and Butterfinger candy bar are all within finger reach of little ones in the checkout lane.
The junk, fluff, twaddle, whatever you want to call it always seems to be front and center shouting, “Buy me!” It’s one of my frustrations when it comes to my child’s reading diet.
Now don’t get me wrong. I think a little junk (food or reading) now and then is fine. I don’t deny my kids either. But, I do try to make sure I’m giving them a good dose of the good stuff too.
Here are three ways I try to “feed” my kids with a healthy reading selection.
3 Ways to Offer a Healthy Reading Diet
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1-Parent Picks
I make sure there are lots and lots of mom (or dad, grandma, uncle, teacher) picks in our library pile. Utilizing the library’s online ordering system helps me maintain a healthy ratio of “good for you” books to the junk my kids tend to pick up.
Don’t get me wrong. My kids don’t always select junk. Because they have been fed a healthy diet of classic picture books and a big scoop of captivating read-alouds, they know about the good stuff and desire that too.
Need some book suggestions? I’ve got oodles and oodles.
Classic Books: Oldies But Goodies
Favorite Books for Kids by Age
2- Read Aloud
And that brings me to the second tip. The more you read aloud the great books (fairy tales, myths, realistic fiction, historical fiction, biographies, etc,) the more they will crave returning to those enriching books you share together.
Chances are if you read a Ribsy by Beverly Clearly, your kids will want you to read Henry Huggins and Henry and Ribsy too. That might then lead you to the Ramona books and Socks. Read one E.B. White book (I’d start with Charlotte’s Web.) aloud, and you’ll probably want to check out his others too.
There is great power in a read-aloud.
3- Try a Reading Challenge
From time to time to we like to have a reading challenge. It’s a fun way to introduce new genres, new authors, and new books.
Try our Summer Reading Library Challenge or Winter Reading Challenge.
Oh, and when we are the bookstore, I do let them have one junk pick if that is what they choose. Because who doesn’t like to go the store and get a Butterfinger candy bar every now and then. But, I also buy some books that I know are good for them and that they will love just as much if not more.
Happy Reading!
For more great posts on reading, check out these goodies.
Tips for Taking a Toddler to the Library
Tips for Reading with Kids Ages 0-5
Sandra Cobain says
Great post! I have twin girls; one reads every day… the other would rather not. We read aloud every friday night before bed, which does seem to help, but I’m still trying to find more ways to nurture that habit. (Without causing an unhealthy competition between the two of them, of course) Perhaps, we can do a reading challenge as a family, with a reward that everyone would potentially enjoy?
Jodie Rodriguez says
Sandra, a reading challenge sounds like a great idea for your family. A Family Dinner Book Club might be a great fit too. We share a new one each month. Here are the archives: https://growingbookbybook.com/literacy-activities/family-dinner-book-club/ .
Leanne says
I am also children’s librarian, and I must Strongly disagree. If you steer children away from the books that they want to read, they will become frustrated and want to read at all. Struggling readers need to be encouraged to read whatever they can get their hands on whatever captures their interest. And the idea of what books are “good” is subjective. What books you think ARe fantastic cOuld be terribly boring to another reader. By all means, keep exposing them to different kinds of literature So that they can grow and develop as readers, but please don’t curb theM reading certain things aNd call it junk. That’s disrepecting their reading choices and can leas them to just not want to choose books at all.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Leanne, thank you for sharing your opinion. I’m a strong advocate of child choice when it comes to reading. This post is meant to encourage caregivers to share great literature with their kids to broaden their horizons so that they will want to try other books besides the ones based on their favorite commercial characters.
Leanne says
I appreciate that you advocate for a child’s choice in what he or she reads, and i agree with you that variety is essential. However, I think calling some books “junk” set negative tone for your article.
Sue says
HI Jodie, have just read this article. As a children’s LibrArian, I have to disagree with you. We all want kids to read for pleasure, and that’s what it should be regardless of content or genre. Allow kids to read what excites and enthtralles them. They will decide what is gd or rubbish. No one judges yr reading choices.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you Sue for sharing your opinion. I agree that kids should pick what they want to read for pleasure. I don’t deny my kids less than stellar books. But, I do encourage and share lots of good choices so they get a good dose of higher quality books too.
aishakhan says
I want my 6 years old girl to be a good reader she likes to play on her tab instead of reading she is in grade 1 student