I was recently challenged by my librarian to participate in the adult summer reading contest. And that got me thinking. What books can I recommend to parents who want to instill a love of reading in their children? After all, summer is a great time to do a little extra reading. So, I’ve come up with a little reading list for parents who are raising readers.
5 Must-Have Books for Parents Raising Readers
Reading Magic by Mem Fox--I’ve put this one first because Fox specifically talks about how reading aloud to children benefits them and naturally turns them into readers. I highly recommend the audiobook for this one as she demonstrates read aloud techniques very effectively.
Give Your Child the World by Jamie Martin–This is a new favorite of mine. We live in a global society, and it’s never too early to start introducing our kids to the idea that we are all different yet still the same.
Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease–This book is full of great tips and interesting research on reading aloud. The second part of the book contains a great book list with synopses and age recommendations.
Caught Up in a Story by Sarah Clarkson--If you’ve ever doubted the effect books can have on kids, this is a must read. Clarkson revisits the books of her childhood and recounts how they affected her, giving many wonderful recommendations along the way. Clarkson also has her own book of reading recommendations, Read for the Heart.
Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt–This book is often considered the gold-standard for finding wonderful books for children. Every home should have a copy.
Updated 7/2019
This list just wouldn’t be complete without the following two books. In fact, they are probably my favorites on this list!
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie–Zero guilt-trips, tons of encouragement, and a stellar book list. (Ok, I may be just a tiny bit partial since Sarah quotes me from our conversation on her podcast a few years back. But, seriously, this book is a must read!)
The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in an Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon–Filled with studies, quotes, and anecdotes, this well researched book reads like a friendly exhortation to read aloud to your kids for as long as they will let you.
Pin for later:
What’s your favorite book for raising readers?
I must be doing something right-I’ve read 4 out of the 5 and own a few. 😉
I’ve never heard of the Mem Fox one. It sounds very similar to Jim T’s book. How is it different?
Good for you! 🙂
Mem Fox’s book is shorter and more practical than RAH. It’s also focused almost exclusively on younger children (pre-readers) and how to use read-alouds, particularly picture books, to get them reading. Also, she writes picture books herself and uses many of them as examples. (My favorites are Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes and Where is the Green Sheep).
Have heard of 4 of these (haven’t heard of Sally Clarkson’s!)
Own three, though as a homeschooler Mem Fox irritated me. There was a definite push for promoting school over parents.
Hey Erin, I saw a little bit of that in Mem Fox’s book (I’m also a homeschooler) but not as much as some moms like you are saying. I wonder if it was toned down in a later version and that’s what I got ahold of…
Just requested a few of these from our library! Thanks–
Awesome! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Oh, this is just the right mix of books I love and books I’ve never heard of! More to add to the wishlist 🙂
Oh yay! I’m thinking I should have added Deconstructing Penguins to this list. I’m really enjoying it. Looking forward to the post you were talking about!
I have so many good books about books to read that it will probably be a while before mine is ready. “Research,” you know 🙂
I’ll have to check out the Mem Fox book and Clarkson one. Honey for a Child’s Heart is my staple, although my son does not enjoy all the suggestions as much as my daughter. I like knowing that the author shares the same values. I am also thankful for all the great online lists available through blogs and Pinterest. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup.
I feel the same way about other trusted blogs. I’m always getting great ideas for things to read from them. 🙂
Great post! Sharing on Twitter & Facebook. Thanks. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Bette! 🙂
Love this list……Lots of new ideas, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Barbara!
This looks like a great list! I’m so excited to see that many of my grandchildren are readers. I’m even more excited that a couple have asked me to recommend books that will help them grow as followers of Christ!
That’s a wonderful thing as a grandparent, Donna! I’d love to hear what books you’ve recommended to your grandchildren.
Hi, thanks for linking up with again at the #LMLinkup. You were our most clicked this week. I love the Read Aloud Handbook. I used to recommend as a school librarian it to my students’ parents.
Thanks, Mary! I didn’t know you used to be a school librarian! No wonder you are passionate about literacy.