5 Secrets That Will Have Your Children Reading

Children love doing anything that is fun, and we can’t think of anything better than reading a book. But these days the world is full of distractions and immediate gratification, and sadly, reading often falls to the bottom of the list.

This is why our mission at Once Upon a Book Club is to bring books to life and reignite the passion for reading.

Getting your children to read can be challenging, but if you make it fun, you will have them engaged in no time at all! Children have the most incredible imaginations, and you simply need to capture their attention and spark their creativity.

Reading Together

There is nothing better than spending time with your child. Our lives are so frantic that taking a break from the busyness of life is great for everyone, and what better way to do it than curled up on the couch together with a cup of tea and biscuits?

Being read to is one of the simple pleasures in life; it takes us back to our childhood. So, grab a book and head to the couch. Reading together provides the perfect opportunity to introduce your child to the wonderful world of stories. There are so many ways to make it exciting!

Ask questions about what your child thinks the characters look and sound like. What do they think will happen next? Which character would they want to be and why? You can even ask your child to come up with a different ending. It boils down to keeping your child engaged.

Rewards

Many books have been turned into movies. This is an excellent reward after your child has finished reading a book. We don’t recommend watching the movie before reading the book as then you can’t imagine for yourself what the characters look and sound like.

It’s always fascinating to see someone else’s interpretation of the characters and scenery, providing endless opportunities for discussion. Do the characters look like you imagined? Has the movie left anything out of the book? Which was better, reading or watching?

Once again, a perfect opportunity to bond with your child. We are firm believers in associating reading with happy times, and a movie night is a great reward for finishing an exciting book. So, grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and you’re ready for action!

Let’s Be Writers!

Writing your own story can be so much fun, and the options are endless. Let your child pick the title and take turns writing together and let your child be the main character. You may be surprised by what you learn about your child.

Once the story is complete, it needs pictures and to be published! Drawings can be photographed, and the words can be typed into a document. Have fun putting it together, printing it out, and creating that all-important cover. Your child will love to see the work in print, especially when they see their name in black and white.

Perhaps it can become the bedtime story for the week. And for those of you who are feeling adventurous, you can always stage a play or create your own game – get the whole family involved.
Writing a story together teaches your child so many other skills.

It Doesn’t Always Have To Be Books

The objective is to get your child reading, and comics are perfect. I don’t think there are many children who can’t be persuaded to grab a comic. Comics are easy reading and although you may initially think we have completely lost it, give it a try.

As by now, you’ve realized, it’s all about the questions, and comics are no different. You can talk about the pictures and ask your child to tell you what is happening or what they think the character sounds like. Why they like or dislike a character and what they would do differently. What superpowers would they want to have?

And yes, creating your own comic is a fabulous idea! Your child can make comics about their family, friends, school, or their own imaginary characters. Give grandma a superpower or turn the house into a castle or create your own magic potion. There is no stopping once you start.

The Exciting World of Hobbies and Interests

Books are not just about reading stories; they are full of learning opportunities and exciting information. Find out what your child is interested in and head off to the library or your local bookstore. Showing an interest in your child’s hobbies is another wonderful way to keep in touch with them.

Learning more about what they love is bound to grab their attention, and you can also introduce them to new topics in a fun way. Books on dinosaurs, books on building volcanoes, books on growing crystals – the sky's the limit.
Travel the world by finding out about different countries, have a themed evening, try that country’s food and share interesting facts.

Just Have Fun

Everyone loves having fun, and reading opens a treasure box of happiness. Your child will follow your example, so make sure they always catch you with a book in hand - our adult book club subscription is the perfect place to start. Besides, who doesn’t like opening gifts throughout the year?

Our Young Adult subscription boxes are renowned for keeping even the most ardent TV watcher’s nose stuck in a book. Our secrets for helping your child to read can be done across all age groups; even you will be having fun. It’s time for you all to head off to Once Upon a Book Club and look at our incredible selection while embarking on a journey of discovery!