6 Books to Jumpstart Your Child’s Love for Reading
Kids nowadays look at books as foreign objects. But it’s time to make reading a thing again!
We used to read a lot of books. But today is World Book Day! So how do we celebrate it?
Simple: we read books.
But now, books have become a thing of the past. People nowadays find themselves too busy to stop, pick up a book, and read. That’s where the problem begins. Because people stopped reading books, their reading comprehension tanked too! Last 2019, Filipinos were considered the worst in Reading Comprehension. Sadly, we are #80 out of the 79 countries in the world in Reading Comprehension, which is why we need to encourage kids to read again.
To encourage kids to read, we’ve found 6 books that can help
We can’t just throw a book at a kid and expect them to read! Here’s our handy list of books categorized by reading level:
1. The Berenstein Bears Books by Mike Berenstein
Considered one of the classics for kids, The Berenstein Bears have been teaching kids manners, activities, and life lessons for years! They focus on a family with four bears: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Sister Bear, and Brother Bear. Each book contains one problem that the family solves together.
The books are fairly thin and a short read. Kids will enjoy the expressive drawings, simple write-ups, and bright colors to make them love reading more.
Reading level: Easy
Age Range: 3-6 years old
Language: English
2. Aesop’s Fables
Aesop’s Fables is a famous anthology of stories that teaches moral stories to kids. There are different print versions of these books, however. Sometimes, they’re sold in old bookstores wherein the stories are sold separately. But you might just be lucky if you find the whole anthology all compiled together!
Some places may not recognize the book as Aesop’s Fables. But you may remember titles such as The Hare and The Tortoise, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Ant and the Grasshopper, and The Crow and the Pitcher.
Reading Level: Easy to Intermediate (Depending on the version)
Age: 4-8 years old (depending on the version)
Language: English and Tagalog
3. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Inspired by his journey from not believing in God to becoming a believer, C.S. Lewis created the Chronicles of Narnia to immortalize it. The story starts with four children: Peter, Susan, Edward, and Lucy. These four children enter the wardrobe in their uncle’s house and are transported into the magical land of Narnia.
The adventure of the four children in Narnia is a tale that will really encourage kids to read because of the magic involved. There’s also the battle between good and evil which kids love. The sword battles, the magic, and everything that all is actually a reference to the Bible!
Reading Level: Intermediate
Age: 9-13 years old
Language: English
4. Harry Potter Books by J.K. Rowling
As one of the books that caused fiction to explode, the Harry Potter series inspires kids to believe in something beyond them. The tale begins in a broom closet on #4 Privet Drive where Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, receives a letter from Hogwarts to learn witchcraft and wizardry.
As the story continues, kids will find themselves immersed in lore about magical animals, spells spoken in Latin, and even certain social issues. The story of Harry Potter has inspired many young readers to become writers. Who knows? Even your kid might become one of them!
Reading Level: Intermediate
Age: 10-14 years old
Language: English
5. Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Don’t let the child-like art fool you! The story of the Little Prince talks about deep human emotions such as love and relationships. It tackles human philosophy; how the mind thinks and the sort. While the story is told from a child’s point of view, its lessons can be appreciated by older readers too.
Considered for advanced reading, the Little Prince takes a little more comprehension and in-between-the-lines reading to understand some of the concepts. While some schools recommend it for junior high students, senior high students may also find themselves reading it for its philosophical value.
Reading Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Age: 15-17 years old
Language: English
6. 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The story begins with an 83 year old mechanic named Eddie who dies during a carnival ride mishap. He then fades into nothingness and is taken to “Heaven” where he meets five people. Each of them teach him the different realizations of life.
Usually meant for advanced readers, Heaven is an abstract concept that kids might not get just yet. Older readers who have more familiar with abstract reasoning may do so. The story gives a sense of solace as to what can possibly happen in the afterlife.
Reading Level: Advanced
Age: 17-19 years old
Language: English
Some of our honorary mentions:
While we do have our top 6 books, we couldn’t just push these other titles aside either! Here are 4 book titles your child might appreciate:
- Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan – The story starts with the life of Percy Jackson as he tries to meet his father. The story is a more child-friendly take on Greek mythology instead of straight-up reading the Illiad. This book is also a good substitute for Harry Potter or Chronicles of Narnia should those books be hard to find!
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman – Considered for advanced readers due to its length, Neil Gaiman is famous for his ability as a weaver of tales. The story of American gods shows the conflict between the old ways and the new.
- Assassin’s Creed by Oliver Bowden – Based on a video game, Assassin’s Creed tackles the morality of society and their institutions such as government and the sort.
- Sherlock Holmes – If your kids are into BBC ‘s Sherlock, this is where it all started! The books talk about how Sherlock Holmes solves his mysteries with the help of his ever-exasperated partner, Dr. John Watson.
Liked our list of good reads for your kids? Check out the links below!
5 Best Bedtime Board Books for Toddlers (That isn’t Goodnight Moon)
Modern Moms Talk About Real Life Issues: Books you need to read RN
35 Screen-Free Activities To Keep Kids Busy At Home
