Some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to books. I remember reading all of the Junie B. Jones series and the Magic Tree House series in first and second grade. Friday nights often meant a trip to the bookstore with my dad, where I’d pick a book for the weekend. We would sit outside or on the couch, side by side, silently reading. In high school, I’ll never forget finishing The Scarlet Letter and declaring I’d never touch another wordy Nathaniel Hawthorne novel again. I remember getting the last Harry Potter book and dropping everything to read it.
In college, I admitted (regretfully and in front of a large class) that I didn’t care for Shakespeare. My professor vowed to spend the rest of the semester trying to change my mind. He didn’t.
When I moved to a new town, knowing hardly anyone, one of the first things I did was sign up for a library card. The library, with its shelves of endless possibilities, became my refuge during an uncertain time. Even now, when I need a pick-me-up, you’ll find me at the library or a bookstore.
Of all these cherished memories, nothing brings me more joy than sharing my love of reading with my children. I often say my kids can be anything they want but they must be readers. Whether you’re a parent, educator or book lover, we have the opportunity to spark curiosity and instill the joy of reading in the next generation. Here are a few of my favorite ways to integrate reading into the lives of my children.
Providing a Book-Filled Environment
There’s something magical about being surrounded by books—it invites curiosity and encourages little readers to pick one up and start exploring. To foster this curiosity, I’ve had to learn to be okay with messy, stumbling hands handling books. This means keeping treasured or delicate books out of reach and opting for board books or secondhand books that let kids interact freely without stress.
From the moment my son was born, I kept books in his room and read to him. Did he understand the words? No. Did he slobber all over them? Absolutely. But it was important that he interacted with books from an early age. I also keep books in the car for my toddler; sometimes, he chooses a toy or throws his book aside, but other times, I catch him engrossed in looking at a book. When we go out to eat, I bring books along—it’s a wonderful, screen-free way to engage him as we look at pictures, make sounds, and ask questions. I make sure books are always within reach—on the coffee table, in the bedroom, on shelves—because every moment is an opportunity to spark curiosity.
Creating a Cozy, Inviting Reading Space for Kids
Creating a dedicated reading space encourages children to read by making books a natural part of their environment. A cozy area with easily accessible books invites exploration. To keep things fresh and engaging, I like to rotate the selection regularly and choose books that match my child’s interests. Incorporating seasonal books is also a fun way to keep them excited about reading throughout the year.
My son also loves to pick out a few books to read before bed.
Library and Bookstore Trips
Taking children to the library or bookstore is a wonderful way to nurture their love of reading. I cherished trips to the bookstore with my dad, and now I carry on that tradition by taking my kids to the library every few weeks. We’re fortunate to have a
dedicated children’s section filled with picture books, toys, puzzles, computers, Legos, and even a small indoor playground. Does my toddler spend much time with the books? Not really—but the goal is to instill the habit of visiting the library, being around books and associating reading with fun. While he plays, I look for books to check out (for him and for me).
I also enjoy taking my kids to the bookstore, though it requires patience and flexibility. Depending on their age, they might not stay engaged for long—they may prefer to play or explore the toy section instead, and that’s perfectly okay! The goal is to make the experience enjoyable and to associate books with positive, fun outings.
Encouraging Reading by Embracing Their Interests
I’ve found that appealing to my child’s interests is key to sparking his curiosity about reading, even if his choices differ from what I might pick. My son used to love tactile books with flaps and textures, then went through a phase of exclusively loving Bluey books. Now, he’s all about Llama Llama books and stories about the playground. Sometimes I offer him a book I think he’ll enjoy, only to find he has no interest, while other times he surprises me by choosing a book I’d never expect him to like. Allowing kids to choose books that align with their interests (within reason) helps make reading exciting and engaging.
Bringing Stories to Life
One way I’ve found to get my kids excited about reading is by making it a fun and interactive experience! I do this by using silly voices, asking questions, pointing out interesting pictures and getting active in order to bring the story to life. Laughing and adding sound effects make the adventure even more engaging for my little ones.
As my children grow older, I plan to engage them in new ways by asking more thoughtful questions and encouraging deeper conversations about the stories they read.
Be Patient and Enjoy the Process
Even with the pressure that parents and educators often feel, it is important to remember to enjoy the journey of nurturing a love for reading. Our role is to model a love of reading and create an environment that encourages it. I try to focus on building habits and planting seeds of curiosity and interest, even if they take time to grow and flourish.
Fostering a love for reading is a journey, and it’s one that evolves over time. As parents and educators, we have the privilege of shaping how children view books and reading, providing them with the tools and opportunities to grow into passionate readers.