We all know that encouraging our children to read will not only improve their spelling and vocabulary, it will also broaden their minds. But how do you get your kid to switch off the TV or put down the games console remote and pick up a book instead?
In this section of the site you’ll find advice and tips from teachers and experts on why it’s important to make time for reading and how to get your child reading, creating a book-friendly home, unusual ways to get them hooked on books, why comics are brilliant for encouraging reading and how to help dyslexic children enjoy reading.
Go on, bring out the book worm in your child!
Articles
Book-bored to bookworm: expert tips to get your child reading
Worried that your child always chooses screen time over books? Mum and teacher Phoebe Doyle asks the experts about turning your child into a busy bookworm.
19 unusual ways to encourage your child to read
Some children can’t wait to get home from school, throw themselves on the sofa and get lost in Hogwarts; others wouldn’t pick up a book unprompted if their games console depended on it. Lucy Dimbylow offers some unusual suggestions to get them reading – and enjoying it.
Expanding your child’s reading tastes
Is your child stuck in a reading rut? Lucy Dimbylow takes a look at how to encourage them to test the water with different styles and genres of fiction and non-fiction.
Worksheets
Choosing books to read
Borrow some books from the library or a friend, then choose your four favourites. Why did you like them best? Ask your mum, dad or another adult to be your scribe (write for you) and explain why you enjoyed them. Or why not set up a book club with your friends to discuss your book choices?
Book characters crossword
Classic characters are unforgettable, whether they're falling down unusual rabbit holes, prowling through the jungle or breaking their slates over unfortunate classmates' heads. How many famous characters from children's literature can you identify in this crossword puzzle?
Making a zig-zag book
Can you make some zig-zag books? First of all do a front cover for your story. Think about making it really exciting so that people want to read it. Also write your name on the front so that people know who wrote it. Then tell your story in the zig-zag book using words and pictures. You may even like to use speech bubbles!
Also see:
Great books for kids: must-reads for 4- to 11-year-olds
When it comes to wonderful books, children are spoilt for choice. Classics and contemporary novels, personalised books, themed reads and more... look through some of our recommendations to find your child's next favourite book to curl up with.
If your child loves a particular book series or author it can be hard to get them to read anything else! Find their next reading obsession by looking through our recommendations for Harry Potter fans, Wimpy Kid fans and Beast Quest and Rainbow Magic fans
Celebrate occasions and festivals with our best Christmas books, best Easter books and best Halloween books for children.
If you're looking for ways to make school subjects like history come to life, look through our best historical fiction for kids lists.
Does your child love non-fiction reading? We have lots of recommendations!
And for specific ages and stages:
