Tips & Tricks

I've received several emails asking for tips or tricks on introducing new books to their children. Whether your child isn't into reading, is into only reading one genre, or reads only for AR point, finding the right book for your little one can be daunting. I've listed a few helpful suggestions below. If you have already tried some of these, it may be helpful to try them again. If you haven't, try a few & see what the outcome is.

1. Read TO your child. Select an interesting & fun book that is somewhat mysterious. Read a chapter (for older children) or a few pages (for younger children) each night to your child.

2. Pick a location that is different from your normal location, pack some snacks, & grab a blanket & get comfy while you read. While you're reading the book, stop periodically & discuss what you've just read.

3. Take a trip to your local library & ask your child to select 7-10 books of VARIOUS interests (several different genres). Then, make it a "game" & surprise your child by reading a different book each night.

4. Introduce your child to new books that YOU have selected but tell them they get to rate the book. Come up with a rating system of 0 - 5 stars with a short summary of why someone would or would not want to read this book. Your child will still be listening to the book & still feels empowered because they are able to rate the book. Agree that if it receives less than 3 stars, it goes STRAIGHT back to the library!

5. Grab 10 friends & have a "Book Swap." Don't ask me why, but your child's friends books are WAY more interesting than his/her own! ;o)

Want some book suggestions? Below are a few of my all-time favorites!

Verdi by Janell Cannon
Bad Dog, Marley by Josh Grogan
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs & Pickles to Pittsburg by Judi Barrett
Goin Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack
Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna
Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan (Michael Jordan's mother)
The Princess & The Pizza by Mary Jane & Herm Auch
The Three Little Wolves & The Big Bad Pig
Do Pirates Take Baths by Kathy Tucker
Horrible Harry chapter books by Suzy Kline
Cam Jansen chapter books by David Adler

There are SOooooo many others ... but we'll keep it short for today.

Happy Reading ~