Books that Inspire a Love of Reading

Books that Inspire a Love of Reading

World Book Day may seem like a distant memory now and the momentum to keep children passionate about reading can sometimes be a tricky one.

The benefits of reading to a child purely for the joy of reading are astonishing. It provides comfort, reassurance, security, relaxation, happiness and fun… all of this whilst learning! It can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with a child, spend time together and slow the day down. When children read they get to meet new cultures, characters and ideas. Pages can transport them to another world and let their imaginations run wild. Often, providing an escape from real life, stories help children to understand feelings, develop empathy and have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.

Although reality may look a little different as we are often challenged by hectic lifestyles, lack of time and the thought of reading as a chore. There can be too much emphasis placed on reading as a skill and not as a pleasure and this notion needs to be overturned if we are to nurture a generation of bookworms. Traditionally you assume reading requires silence, intense concentration and a prolonged period spent quietly in the same position – all the things that most children find boring! This doesn’t have to be the case and at Browns Books were are adamant that reading can be fun for all! Here’s our top 5 tips to encourage a love of reading…

1.  Make it part of your routine. Reading is a great habit and like all habits it needs repetition to become established. Incorporate story time into your daily routine until it becomes as natural as brushing your teeth. It doesn’t have to be made into a big thing, it can be part of everyday life like reading the recipe for dinner or the instructions for a game. A quick win is turning the sub-titles on the TV so that children are exposed to words. Ensuring books are easy to access is also vital, be that in the car, in your backpack or at the dinner table.   

2. Tap into their interests. If a child is not interested in the topic of the story they’re not going to stick with it. Let children choose what to read and let them choose widely. There’s no need to restrict to story books… there’s comics, cookbooks, nursery rhymes, audiobooks, non-fiction, joke books, the same book over and over, a new book every night… the possibilities are endless!

3. Picture books are empowering. Picture books provide a representation of what the story is saying in visual form, making it easier for children to follow along. They’re also more visually appealing and attention-grabbing meaning a child will be more inclined to talk about what is on the page. Moreover, let a child ‘read’ wordless stories aloud to you, this empowers children and gives them the  confidence that they are just as competent at reading as adults.

4. Make use of your local library. Children are natural explorers which makes libraries an excellent place for them. They offer freedom of choice and expose them to more reading materials than you may have at home. It is here that they can truly discover what they enjoy reading and find books on almost every topic. Libraries are typically thought of as eerily quiet places with lots of shushing, but that’s simply not the case. They’re vibrant settings, filled with engaging activities, storytellers, knowledgeable librarians, book clubs, cosy reading nooks, nursery rhyme singing and most essentially it’s free!

5. Bring reading to life. Children love to laugh… use silly voices, add sound effects, act it out, build a reading fort, add a torch and some teddies, read to your pet, read outside, dress up as the characters, read whilst hula-hooping and standing on your head. Finally… NO MORE NAGGING! Stop making reading a chore and turn it into a fun, positive experience for all.

A great place to start is to read books about books! Magical stories that celebrate reading, make library trips an adventure and have an empathetic representation of reluctant readers are a fantastic way to encourage a love of reading. All of the below books show children that they can read whatever, however and wherever they choose. 

All the Wonderful Ways to Read

Baker, Laura

Hardback

A delightful story by Laura Baker, illustrated with warmth and humour by Sandra de la Prada, that celebrates reading in all its forms. Books take us on journeys that we can all share,And give us the power to go anywhere!So no matter just how, or what book,or your speed, what I wish for NOW . . . Is that YOU love to read!This fantastic book inspires ALL children to find their own wonderful way of reading. Little bookworms who love A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston, Wolves by Emily Gravett and Books Always Everywhere by Jane Blatt and Sarah Massini will adore All the Wonderful Ways to Read.

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Luna Loves Library Day

Coelho, Joseph

Paperback / softback

By award-winning Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, the first book in the Luna Loves... series. Every week Luna looks forward to one special day: the day when she discovers magic among the library shelves, the day she gets to spend with her dad. Exploring the books, Luna and her dad find magic, mystery and even start to mend their own history. An inspiring story that celebrates alternative families and the magic of books from one of the UK's greatest award-winning poets for children, and Children's Laureate, Joseph Coelho. Endorsed by Amnesty International:"This is a touching reflection on the power of reading to bring families together; Fiona Lumbers’ illustrations convey Luna’s vivid inner life, while Coelho’s lyrical style celebrates the joyful curiosity of early childhood." Amnesty International"An ode to love and different kinds of families, with lyrical text and richly coloured, warm illustrations." Irish Independent, Best Books of 2017Other books in the Luna Loves... series:Luna Loves ArtLuna Loves DanceLuna Loves BooksLuna Loves ChristmasLuna Loves Gardening

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The Library Book

Dawnay, Gabby

Paperback / softback

Our protagonist Zach develops a love of reading thanks to the stubborn efforts of his friend Ro, who reveals the imaginative power of books. Zach isn’t convinced that books are for him – they’re too long, they’re boring and he would rather watch TV. But thanks to his friend Ro’s stubborn efforts, Zach falls for books hook, line and sinker, and loses himself in a world of dinosaurs, princesses, pirates, football and rocketships – anything and everything the library has to offer. The benefits of reading for pleasure are well researched. As well as being linked to academic attainment, reading for pleasure can increase empathy, our understanding of our own identity, and improve mental health. These outcomes are most likely when reading takes place out of free choice. Through lively rhymes and dynamic illustrations, The Library Book helps early readers understand the plethora of books available to them through their local library and encourages parents, guardians and teachers to help children find books that appeal to their personal interests. Written in a catchy rhyming style by bestselling author Gabby Dawnay, The Library Book will trigger a love of words in readers of all abilities, while Ian Morris’ inventive watercolour illustrations – which are reminiscent of two British illustration greats, Quentin Blake and Chris Riddell – make Zach’s emotional journey come alive. The combination is a picture book that will inspire a love of libraries, reading, books and words in even the most reluctant reader.

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The Detective Dog

Donaldson, Julia

Paperback / softback

When a crime needs solving, there’s only one dog for the job! Join Nell the Detective and help solve the mystery of the missing books. There once was a dog with a keen sense of smell. She was known far and wide as Detective Dog Nell. Peter’s dog Nell has an amazing sense of smell. Her ever-sniffing nose is always hard at work solving mysteries and finding all Peter’s lost toys. But Nell has other talents too . . . When she’s not cracking cases, Nell goes to school with Peter and listens to the children read. Books about dinosaurs, books about space and even books about dogs – Nell loves them all! But one day Peter and Nell arrive at school to find all the books have disappeared! Who could have taken them, and why? Luckily, Detective Dog Nell, with help from the whole class, is ready to sniff out the thief!Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by the multi-talented illustrator and print-maker Sara Ogilvie, The Detective Dog is a fast-paced celebration of books, reading, libraries and the relationship between a little boy and his rather special dog.

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Special Delivery

Faber, Polly

Hardback

Special Delivery: A Book's Journey Around the World is a beautifully illustrated guide following the journey of one book across the globe, from a printing press in a factory far, far away, over land and across the sea, to the hands of a young boy. With stylish, contemporary artwork from Klas Fahlén and gentle narrative text by Polly Faber, this gorgeous picture book introduces all the people, processes and vehicles involved in delivering the perfect gift!From factory workers and train drivers to container ship captains, post office workers and booksellers, children will be fascinated to find out how the very book they are holding in their hands made its way all around the world!Bonus non-fiction material includes three pages of fantastic fully illustrated special delivery facts to inspire and delight curious readers.

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Hey Duggee: The Book Badge

Hey Duggee

Board book

Earn your Book Badge with Duggee!After a busy day at the clubhouse, Duggee is reading the Squirrels a book about Cookie the dog. But Cookie's story isn't exciting and everyone starts to feel bored. Can the Squirrels use their imaginations to create a brand-new exciting story?Join your favourite characters from the triple BAFTA-winning CBeebies show on this fun adventure at the clubhouse. Want more Duggee? Also available:9781405948036 Hey Duggee: The Potty Badge9781405944397 Hey Duggee: The Tooth Brushing Badge9781405950763 Hey Duggee: The Sharing Badge

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Moose's Book Bus

Moore, Inga

Paperback / softback

An homage to storytime, libraries and community by Inga Moore, one of the most acclaimed children’s bookmakers working today. Moose is the most fantastic storyteller. Every night after dinner, he sits with his family around the fire and tells an enchanting story. But, one evening, Moose can’t think of a single tale he hasn’t told before! What he needs is a book of stories. What they all need is a library… With help from the friendly librarian in town, Moose recycles an abandoned bus from the junkyard and makes a mobile library – a book bus! Now the whole neighbourhood can experience the magic of stories together. In this companion to A House in the Woods, beloved picture book maker Inga Moore shares a heart-warming story that celebrates the joy of reading aloud, and the power that libraries have to bring communities together.

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Little Red Reading Hood

Rowland, Lucy

Paperback / softback

Whilst leaving footpaths should never be done, Straying from stories is all sorts of fun!Little Red Reading Hood loves reading books and making up stories of her own. When she meets a cunning wolf while on her way to the library, he convinces her to stray from the path and read for a little while. But hasn’t she read this in a story before? Perhaps it’s time she came up with a new ending . . . This is a contemporary and fun take on the classic fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood, created by an incredible picture book partnership. With a playful rhyming story by Lucy Rowland and Ben Mantle's entertaining illustrations, Little Red Reading Hood will inspire children, and adults, about the magic of books and reading.

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This Is a Story

Schu, John

Hardback

Children’s literacy advocate John Schu and Caldecott Honor recipient Lauren Castillo celebrate the power of finding the perfect book – in a story that’s relevant now more than ever. This is a word on a page. This is a page in a book. This is a book on a shelf ... waiting. With a seahorse kite in hand, a child heads out with Dad to the library. On the way they stop at a park, joining lots of people, some of whom are flying kites, too. At the library, a person toting a big pile of books hands over a story on a favourite subject: the seahorse. All around, there are readers poring over books, each with their own questions, ideas to explore, hopes for the future, and imaginations ready to spark. With a warm, lyrical text and tenderly expressive illustrations, John Schu and Lauren Castillo invite us to imagine the myriad of ways that books can foster connection and understanding – and how they can empower children through their own passions to transform the world.

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Shhh! I’m Reading!

Kelly, John

Paperback / softback

Shhh! Do not disturb! Bella is busy reading. Please come back when she has finished this UTTERLY AMAZING and TOTALLY INCREDIBLE book! A fantastically funny tale, celebrating imagination and the joy of reading.

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For more inspiring children’s books about the joy of storytelling, libraries and reading browse here.

Not sure where to start on your child’s reading journey? We have some great selections ready to inspire a love of reading for all abilities. With long summer days just around the corner there has never been a more perfect time to sit back, relax and read for pleasure.

100 Essential Picture Books Wordless Stories Great Books to Read Aloud 100 Best Books for Every Age Group Reluctant and Dyslexic Readers New and Noteworthy

“Everything you look at can become a fairy tale and you can get a story from everything you touch” – Hans Christian Andersen

Laura, Content Selection Team