What the Experts Say: Paul R. Hewlett "What Will Get Children to Read?"

This is anage-old question.  As a children’s author I have asked myself this veryquestion many times. 

There areseveral points to examine in order to answer this question.  First, isreading age dependent, and if so, does one need to use different means fordifferent age groups? The next question deals with how to get them toread.  Is there a certain approach that should be used?  Finally, wemust ask what kinds of characters and situations children want to read about. In taking a closer look at these points, we will find the answer to ourquestion.
I don’tbelieve that reading is age dependent.  I believe exposure to readingshould start at a very young age and continue throughout one’s life.  I dobelieve, however, that different means should be used for different agegroups.  Exposure should start with reading aloud to children. Reading to children creates an interaction between child and parent that isvery strong.  They will remember this time spent with Mom and/or Dad andwill look forward to this time and the story that is being read to them. 
Continue tobuild on that, adding to it piece by piece as they get older.  I like toview this approach as layering.  Layering is a fantastic approach to helpchildren build a strong foundation in reading.  As children get older,another layer should be added.  Introduce them to libraries and bookfairs.  Make sure to sign them up for a library card.  Most librariesissue library cards to children older than the age of five.  Thiswill make them feel invested in the experience. Let them pick up books, handlethem, examine them, and check them out using their very own library card. It doesn’t matter if they are reading advanced books or comic books, as long asthey are reading.  Libraries often have activities such as book clubs orreadings.  This is another great opportunity to further expose children tothe wonderful world of reading. 
Add anotherlayer to that, such as setting aside family reading time.  Parents can readaloud to younger children, and then as children get older, set aside time forthe family to read their own individual books together in the familyroom.  Teenagers may want to read on their own, and in this case I wouldstill encourage parents to ask questions and encourage discussion about thebooks they are reading.  Do not be afraid to reward children for reading,even if the reward is simple praise.  I believe parents are the biggestinfluence on getting children to read.  By incorporating these differentmeans for different age groups and layering these activities, I believe, thefoundation will be built for a lifetime of reading pleasure and enjoyment.
The next pointto be examined is what kind of characters do children want to read about? Do children want to read about certain types of characters?  I’m notconvinced that there is any one type of character that appeals to allchildren.  Children have different tastes, just like adults do.  Withthat being said, there are certainly specific types of characters that theyseem to prefer to read about.  A strong main character that they canrelate to is important.  A likable character that has flaws and a goodheart is always well received, everyone has flaws after all.  They canidentify with them and they tend to pull for these kinds of characters. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself how many children are rooting for HarryPotter?  Children, for the most part, want to read about strong, likeablecharacters with flaws that they can relate to.  That begs thequestion then of what kind of situations do children enjoy reading about thesecharacters in?  They enjoy all kinds of situations, quite honestly. They certainly enjoy ones that they can relate to.  Many children imaginethemselves as the main character and enjoy reading about them in situationsthat they have experienced and can relate to.  They also enjoy fantasy;finding themselves in other worlds or using magic is very well received. These types of situations allow children to leave everyday life, go to newplaces and experience new things, things that are impossible to do in the realworld.  Whether it is a familiar situation or a fantasy, the only thingthat really matters is that it reaches the child.  That is why it is soimportant to take them to the library or book fairs, read to them, encouragethem to read, discuss what they are reading, and let them pick up dozens ofbooks and look through them.  By doing this, they will learn whatcharacters and situations appeal to them.
In closing, Ibelieve getting children to read is extremely important.  We havedetermined that reading is not age dependent and that different means should beused for different age groups. We have examined these means and in doing so,have identified the layering approach to help get them to read.  Likebuilding blocks, layer one experience onto the next as children get older tobuild a solid foundation. We also looked at types of characters and situationsthat they like to read about. The comprehension skills, vocabulary, andimagination that they develop and use from reading are invaluable. Parents play a vital role in getting children to read and should take steps toencourage it.  Ultimately, it is up to the child whether they will read ornot, but by exposing them to the many layers of reading mentioned here, I haveno doubt that read they will.  Children are very smart and as a children’sauthor, I always write with Maxim Gorky’s words in mind:
           “You must write for children in the same way as you do for adults, onlybetter.”
Let’sall put our best foot forward and get children to read.  They deserve it!

Paul R. Hewlett writes books for children. His first book is Lionel's Grand Adventure: Lionel and the Golden Rule. It is an early chapter book for ages 7-10. It is the first book in the Lionel's Grand Adventure series. Paul is a US Air Force vet who is married and has a "senior" dog named Joe that he and his wife adopted from the local rescue facility. His aim is to increase and foster children's interest in reading by combining entertainment and values

Twitterlink:  https://twitter.com/#!/lionelsnod
Amazonauthor page link:  http://www.amazon.com/Paul-R.-Hewlett/e/B0077S3988/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Lionel'sGrand Adventure: Lionel and the Golden Rule link:   bit.ly/AC8rMq
Lionel'sGrand Adventure: Lionel Turns the Other Cheek link:   bit.ly/AynyXE
Lionel'sGrand Adventure Facebook Page:   bit.ly/wMCM9Y
PaulR Hewletts Blog:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5429723.Paul_R_Hewlett/blog