No matter the age of your child, reading should be a thrilling activity the two of you can enjoy. Reading is the gateway to experiencing the world in a whole new way, to become more inspired, and to model their life after their favorite character.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
Early learners are encouraged to learn the days of the week and counting. Carle has found a way to capture the imagination and awe of these young readers and set them on their paths to higher learning. What can adults learn from this book? Simple everyday concepts can be used to help a child learn and become curious about their world.
The BFG
By Roald Dahl
Dahl is one of the most influential authors and illustrators on our list. The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) helps young children learn to overcome outside appearances, and to be compassionate to all. This is a lesson that even adults can learn from. Writing a children’s book often takes concepts that even adults had issues grasping and breaking it down to its simplest forms.
Artemis Fowl
By EoinColfer
Colfer is such an amazing author, he does not use too many illustrations, but when they are included in his books, readers are drawn in even further. Artemis Fowl is a story about a boy who wants to steal all the gold from fairyland. The book is an adventure, thriller, and an absolute delight for children with a reading level 5th grade and up. The feel of the book will give kids that great excitement of reading a thicker book, a more “adult” book instead of the “kiddie” books. This is a great read for the whole family, especially during story time.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
By John Boyne
Teaching history is an important part of a child’s schooling, reading a story that is highly relatable is a great reinforcement for the lesson. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was written to portray the horrors of the holocaust, and how from the perspective of a child, it was nowhere near as bad as adults know it can be. An important lesson that this book gives is not only to befriend others no matter their situation, but to be grateful for what they have. Children will ask questions about this book, so it is great for a conversation starter about history.
The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
Highly popularized due to the numerous movies made out of the series, The Hunger Games is a story of standing up for your beliefs, and be ready to fight for it. The book was written with teens in mind; they will be able to relate to the rebellious and “misunderstood” feelings given off from the text. By reading, teens will be exposed to situations where relying on yourself before you rely on others is beneficial in many situations.
No matter the age, there are favorites that are bound to develop. The important job as a parent is to give children the opportunity to read at a pace, and level that they feel comfortable. Reading with your child will give them confidence to move on to bigger, more complex texts, and lead to a more enriched life.
