877 914 4366
Books That Can Inspire Your Child To Become A “Reader!”
Helping children develop a love of reading is a long haul as so many children have a rocky start to learning to read and have somewhat of a distaste for reading. Oftentimes though, one book can change that. This is an article of book suggestions for your child, books that could be “the book” that turns your child into a habitual reader.
Reading reluctance is especially true for children who are not meeting the reading milestones and find reading difficult. The challenge there in finding the right book has an added challenge, making sure you present books that are in your child’s reading zone, to avoid adding to the frustration.
It’s important to play the long game, not pressure too hard, and to think about reading interventions that can help if your child is reluctant. Meanwhile, try to delight your child with the books below, creating a window into the worlds that books can open up.
Another part of inspiring a love of books is reading aloud to your child. We have some ideas of books to read aloud below that have the potential to inspire and offer your child new perspectives.
Pro tip. Some of these books are part of a series. If your child loves the book, get into a reading groove by finding others in the series!
Look at some incredible, award-winning options (and some you may not have heard of) below.
The Art of Miss Chew – Patricia Polacco
Is your child a budding artist? Do they struggle to read well? Then they’ll love this story of Trisha, who spends a summer with her artist grandmother and decides that’s what she wants to do, too!
This true story teaches children about the joy of artistic creation and the value of encouragement from teachers who can see a child’s strengths.
The author was dyslexic, which was misunderstood by most teachers at the time. Trisha struggles most when one teacher tells her she should be studying more and that she’s “wasting her time” on art.
However, Miss Chew is willing to go to battle for Trisha, and in the end, this heartfelt autobiography encourages understanding, compassion, and pursuing your strengths in life!
Where The Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
Max’s pajamas make him look somewhat like a wolf, so after he’s sent to his room for misbehaving, he imagines his bedroom turning into a jungle with a boat that brings him to the land of the wild things; he finds giant monsters, a land where he becomes king!
The emotional resonance is not lost on the celebration of childlike imagination, which makes this book not only a reminder that feelings are valid but that working them out in a healthy, creative way is just as important.
Olivia – Ian Falconer
The Caldecott Honor Book and #1 New York Times bestseller features everyone’s favorite pig, Olivia!
Olivia is relatable for high-energy kids who are constantly on the move.
Olivia is busy and takes everything she does to the next level. Changing her outfits dozens of times before deciding she’s dressed, frolicking in her room when she’s supposed to be sleeping, painting on the walls! She hates naps, too!
Olivia’s quirks and traits are highly celebrated instead of stifled—a rarity for high-energy kids these days.
The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.”
So begins this 50-year-old tale of generosity, unselfishness, and a tender story of love, sadness, and consolation. This book brings a lesson in parable form with a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and the ability to accept another’s capacity to love in return.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older, he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
Amelia Bedelia – Parish, Peggy
When Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers discovered the joy of laughing out loud while reading about the crazy antics of this charming but literal-minded housekeeper!
With a list of what’s to be done, Amelia sets about her duties on her first day at work. Amelia seems confused when she’s told to draw the drapes or dress the chicken, so the results are hilariously different than Mrs. Rogers’ expectations may have been!
“No child can resist Amelia [Bedelia] and her literal trips through the minefield of the English language—and no adult can fail to notice that she’s usually right when she’s wrong.”—The New York Times Book Review
If your child is not a reader yet, consider Gemm Learning. Give us 6 months to change your child’s attitude to reading.
Books To Inspire New Readers, 9 to 11
By the upper elementary grades, children are either really into reading or really not into reading. A lifelong reading habit starts with a desire to read, even if it’s a little exhausting or challenging. If the reward is there, if your child thinks the book is worth the effort, then habits can form.
The idea here is to build a reading routine and to connect reading to pleasure, and a series is a great way to deepen those grooves! Here are a few books for your child to read that can get that ball rolling for 9 to 11-year-olds.
Harriet the Invincible (Hamster Princess Series) – Ursula Vernon
This hilarious twist on Sleeping Beauty involves a feisty hamster who makes the most of life before the curse of pricking her finger on a hamster wheel manifests on her twelfth birthday.
Gorgeous princess Harriet Hamsterbone (you’ll have to trust her, she’s stunning) was brave and intelligent and loathed the idea of lounging around the palace as royals do.
This charming, joyful tale with a spunky heroine will create readers who will cheer for her as they eagerly search for the next story!
The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other) – Geoff Rodkey
Children with siblings know that life with another kid isn’t always fun and games, and The Tapper Twins, Claudia and Reese, are no exception!
In this hilarious tale of what it’s like to be in middle school and competing in an all-out prank war with a sibling, the twins are forced to decide if it’s worth the price of trying to destroy each other.
The voices of the two characters who tell the story are pitch-perfect, with humorous insight and various points of view. It’s a mash-up of family dynamics, history, social media, and gaming, providing a something-for-everyone approach at all times!
When Mischief Came To Town – Katrina Nannestad
This heartwarming and richly engaging tale is a nod to Pippi Longstocking and Heidi about the magic of mischief. Inge Maria Jensen is ten years old, and when her mother dies, she’s sent from Copenhagen to live with her grandmother — whom she’s never met before — on a farm.
When she arrives on the tiny island, she discovers that her grandmother is quite stern, the people who live there are pretty strange, and children are expected to be seen and not heard. No matter how hard Inge tries to be good (and brave), she seems to fall into mischief one way or another.
The question is, could a little bit of mischief be a good thing?
It’s a tale of love, humor, and resilience, perfect for engaging any reader and making them want more!
The Girl Who Drank the Moon – Kelly Barnhill
The list of awards this book has won is quite long, and one page into the story tells you why.
A witch, some swamp monsters, and a “perfectly tiny dragon” live in the forest where the people of the Protectorate leave a baby once a year as a sacrifice in hopes that the witch will not terrorize them. But what they don’t know is that the witch, Xan, is kind and loving!
It’s a profoundly emotional tale of social complexity, the exorbitant secrets and lies, and wonderful imperfection in its characters.
Guts – Raina Telgemeier
The praise for Guts is endless and with good reason. The story of Raina both normalizes her struggle with anxiety and the need for therapy and shows a child developing coping mechanisms in a way that is sure to inspire and reassure readers.
Dealing with the usual ups and downs of school, such as wavering friendships, weird food, and classmates who think the year is just one long gross-out competition, Raina discovers that her tummy troubles are more than just a stomach bug.
This graphic memoir is inspired by real people, real therapy, and the real experiences of the author.
More Book Ideas For Your Child
There are numerous variations of the most popular fairy tales or literary classics. Try picking a story that your child loves or knows well, and seeing how many different versions of it you can find. You can focus on versions from different cultures or periods, ones where gender or character roles are reversed, or simply choose randomly and see where the content takes you.
Afterward, try comparing and contrasting versions, choosing a few favorites, or even creating your unique alternatives. If you can’t find a deliberate variation to read, try focusing on themes or plot devices.
For example, an abundance of texts contain superhero origin stories, describe dystopian futures, or involve a main character who embarks on a long quest with dangerous obstacles. Selecting stories you suspect have nothing in common and seeing if you’re proven wrong after reading is another alternative.
Whatever you do, be sure to choose books that are in your child’s reading zone. Here’s how just right books work, with a link to a way to check a book’s reading difficulty.
Suggested Titles:
Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
The Jalapeno Man by Debbie Leland
West Side Story by Irving Shuman
Suggested Titles for Older Children
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien
Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher
There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar
Holes by Louis Sachar
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Here is a more detailed list of fiction book ideas for your child to read.
Reading Aloud to Your Child
Students of all ages enjoy being read to. Reading aloud to your child is a great way to develop imagination, vocabulary, listening comprehension, and interest, and it can be a few levels higher than the listener’s independent reading ability.
It’s helpful to find a book that will engage your child early on, with enough surprises to keep him or her curious about the story’s outcome. Some books may even result in follow-up discussions or creative writing opportunities, or viewing movie adaptations afterward.
Books to Read To Your Child That Offer New Perspectives
The right book about acceptance, change and/or individuality can lead to perspective and hope when things feel overwhelming.
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
Who is the Beast by Keith Baker
Wolf! By Becky Bloom
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
The right book can also be a springboard for the imagination. Story starters, mysteries, and science or social studies can inspire students to learn more, create, and problem-solve.
Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsbrg
Just Another Ordinary Day by Rod Clement
The Mary Celeste An Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane Yolen
Fun Facts for Curious Kids series (Titles include I Wonder Why Crocodiles Float Like Logs and I Wonder How Parrots Can Talk)
Can You Believe series by Sandra Markle (Titles include Hurricanes, Insects, and Volcanoes)
Lastly, try having each family member share a favorite book or story with others. You can either agree to each read a book selected by the other or take turns sharing them as read-alouds. It’s a great opportunity to discover new books while learning a little about each other.
If your child has a reading difficulty, consider a reading intervention like Gemm Learning.
