What Makes a Child Want to Read?

EXCITING NEW WORLDS

It is summer. Children are on vacation and have free time. With my teaching background, I love to see them read. It brings back memories of long summer afternoons lost in my books. I remember BEAUTIFUL JOE, LITTLE WOMEN, CADDIE WOODLAWN , and ANNE of GREEN GABLES.

I’ve begun to wonder what draws children to books. After consideration, I believe there are several reasons why any of us read books. One of the first is the excitement of exploring exciting new worlds. Remember when HARRY POTTER was released? Children were enthralled with the series, and so were adults. As Harry faced danger and learned wizardry, readers turned the pages raptly to discover what would happen next.

The Hardy Boys, mysteries have been popular for years, immersing boys into adventure and intrigue they were not likely to experience in their daily lives. It is fun to live dangerously from the comfort of the couch or sprawled across the bed.

Interest in a Topic

While teaching school, I’ve learned it is easier to get children to read when they are interested in a topic. A child who is reluctant to read THE MOUSE and the MOTORCYCLE, or RAMONA THE PEST may eagerly devour books about baseball, horses or science topics. Some children love comic books or graphic novels. Sometimes a reluctant reader is simply someone who has not found her niche.

Affirmation

Feeling lonely or misunderstood is a common experience. It helps to know that others have the same problems, even if they are characters in a book. Cinderella faced a hard home life. She was unappreciated and overlooked. In KING OF THE WIND, Agba is mute and spends time with his horse. They have adventures until they conquer the horse racing world. From these type of stories, children who are hurting find hope and courage. They see that others have problems and face hurtful situations. In whatever young readers are experiencing they discover they are not alone and there is hope. In the fantasy adventure, DO NOT DISTURB, a boy writes himself into an adventure. The courage of his alter ego character helps him solve a difficulty in his life.

We never outgrow the reasons we read whether it is for exciting new worlds, interest in a topic or affirmation. Can your think of other reasons you read books as a child? Let me know and I’ll add them to the list.