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How to Give Your Child a Lifelong Love of Reading
How do you create an active reader? Why is reading good for creativity and vital for teaching the next generation resilience and positive mental health? In the digital age of never-ending screen time, you could argue that the power of books has diminished. But while screens have changed the act of reading, Alex Johnson believes reading is even more important, and that people value books more than ever. This is visible in the sales of printed special editions, the revival in reading aloud, the increased interest in poetry anthologies, and the rescuing of "lost words" from obscurity. But with so many competing distractions, which are the best books for children to read and how can we access them? How do we get children to start reading? How can we encourage them to be curious and maintain their interest? In this book of practical advice, Alex Johnson brings his tremendous enthusiasm and informed passion to answer these questions.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
18 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Alex Johnson
13 books76 followersLatest book: Shed Manual (Haynes, 2019)
Next book: Edward Lear & The Pussycat: Famous Writers and Their Pets (August, 2019)
Next book after that: Menus That Made History (Kyle/Octopus, September, 2019)
I am a professional blogger and journalist, part of The Independent newspaper's online team in the UK. I run Shedworking (www.shedworking.co.uk) which inspired the book 'Shedworking: The Alternative Workplace Revolution' published by Frances Lincoln, The Micro Life (www.themicrolife.co.uk), and curate Bookshelf (www.onthebookshelf.co.uk), which was published as a book in 2012 by Thames & Hudson as 'Bookshelf'.
'Improbable Libraries', a survey of the most unusual and intriguing libraries around the world, was published by Thames & Hudson in April 2015 and 'A Book of Book Lists' in October 2017 by The British Library. My book on book towns around the world, 'Book Towns', was published by Frances Lincoln in March 2018 and 'Shelf Life, a selection of essays about books and reading, in October 2018 by The British Library. The same month, I brought out a literary trumps card game called The Writers Game with Laurence King Publishing.
Next book: Edward Lear & The Pussycat: Famous Writers and Their Pets (August, 2019)
Next book after that: Menus That Made History (Kyle/Octopus, September, 2019)
I am a professional blogger and journalist, part of The Independent newspaper's online team in the UK. I run Shedworking (www.shedworking.co.uk) which inspired the book 'Shedworking: The Alternative Workplace Revolution' published by Frances Lincoln, The Micro Life (www.themicrolife.co.uk), and curate Bookshelf (www.onthebookshelf.co.uk), which was published as a book in 2012 by Thames & Hudson as 'Bookshelf'.
'Improbable Libraries', a survey of the most unusual and intriguing libraries around the world, was published by Thames & Hudson in April 2015 and 'A Book of Book Lists' in October 2017 by The British Library. My book on book towns around the world, 'Book Towns', was published by Frances Lincoln in March 2018 and 'Shelf Life, a selection of essays about books and reading, in October 2018 by The British Library. The same month, I brought out a literary trumps card game called The Writers Game with Laurence King Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 5, 2020
I suspect if you follow along here you are passionate about raising a reader (or a whole classroom of readers) and this book is a fantastic resource!
I first picked this up because I get a little mention inside it as a good resource for finding new books which just thrilled me as I work so passionately to do just that and it’s always nice to get a pat on the back.
But this book has loads of great tips - as a confident reader-parent-bookworm the advice in the beginning chapters were intrinsic to me and something I do naturally but I enjoyed reading about supporting my children as they learn to read themselves, about growing their passion for reading. There was also an interesting section on whether we advise children to read anything and everything they enjoy or whether we should pushing them towards “high quality” books. I stand divided on this and think perhaps there is room for both - I love a quick YA/thriller/MG/crime book between heavier reading and I think that’s probably relevant to kids too. I also loved the top that for children of pocket money age that you set aside a separate amount which is just for buying books! This is something I never would have thought of but will definitely do as this bairns get bigger.
Mostly this book considers all different sorts of readers and how we find that book which hooks their loving of reading and with so many examples of all different sorts of books it’s a diamond mine of recommendations! I have heard so many parents ask at parents evening “how do I get them to read?” and this book has so many answers to that question it would definitely be one I would recommend them reading! And perhaps a pamphlet form for the less able reading parents themselves? A brilliant resource for parents and teachers!
I first picked this up because I get a little mention inside it as a good resource for finding new books which just thrilled me as I work so passionately to do just that and it’s always nice to get a pat on the back.
But this book has loads of great tips - as a confident reader-parent-bookworm the advice in the beginning chapters were intrinsic to me and something I do naturally but I enjoyed reading about supporting my children as they learn to read themselves, about growing their passion for reading. There was also an interesting section on whether we advise children to read anything and everything they enjoy or whether we should pushing them towards “high quality” books. I stand divided on this and think perhaps there is room for both - I love a quick YA/thriller/MG/crime book between heavier reading and I think that’s probably relevant to kids too. I also loved the top that for children of pocket money age that you set aside a separate amount which is just for buying books! This is something I never would have thought of but will definitely do as this bairns get bigger.
Mostly this book considers all different sorts of readers and how we find that book which hooks their loving of reading and with so many examples of all different sorts of books it’s a diamond mine of recommendations! I have heard so many parents ask at parents evening “how do I get them to read?” and this book has so many answers to that question it would definitely be one I would recommend them reading! And perhaps a pamphlet form for the less able reading parents themselves? A brilliant resource for parents and teachers!
April 7, 2024
A book that will be valuable to parents, teachers, and librarians.
May 26, 2020
A very well-informed book for parents who want to ensure their kids enjoy reading. It’s full of up-to-date references, is inclusive and wide-ranging. It’s very accessible, wears its learning lightly and includes short enthusiastic pieces by brilliant writers (and parents) such as Hollie McNish and Jacqueline Wilson. It is also beautifully produced by British Library Publishing. My only criticism is that the sort of parents who would seek it out probably don’t need it!
April 8, 2024
⭐️ 4.5/5 - What a fantastic resource for parents, teachers and librarians around developing a love of reading! As a parent - and teacher - I found this to be very informative and useful.
Lots of great tips and advice on developing readers, from the more common sense ideas to those that I hadn’t considered before. It’s beautifully published and has lots of encouragement and insight from authors such as Jacqueline Wilson.
I just wonder if this book will be accessed by those who don’t really need to read it, as opposed to those that do?
Lots of great tips and advice on developing readers, from the more common sense ideas to those that I hadn’t considered before. It’s beautifully published and has lots of encouragement and insight from authors such as Jacqueline Wilson.
I just wonder if this book will be accessed by those who don’t really need to read it, as opposed to those that do?
September 12, 2023
I wrote one of the chapters so am completely biased I'm afraid! Seriously though, it's a great wee book full of super ideas from a range of people in the book/reading world. It was an honour to be asked to contribute.
February 5, 2025
Should be called something like “reading ideas & resources for UK parents” but if you know that’s what it is going in, a great resource with specific information like local shops & festivals & charities etc.
May 17, 2021
What a beautiful little book! I love the cover and it has great advices inside.
January 24, 2025
Great source of resources and suggestions!
April 26, 2025
Library book - good read :)
September 27, 2022
De iniciación, pero merece reconocimiento por lo bien ordenado que está y lo extensivo que es.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews