I firmly believe that a child who loves to read will become an adult who loves to read. Reading opens up a world of opportunity, of endless wonder and invites you to experience what the subject is feeling. We all want to raise thoughtful, compassionate, open-minded children … and reading is a good place to start!
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
~ Garrison Keillor
Instilling an appreciation for stories and reading in your child(ren) early will ensure their love of reading will grow. I’ve rounded up some of my family’s favourite books, spanning ages toddler to middle school that I hope will give you some fresh ideas for what to read with your kids!
For Toddlers
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This sweet book by Olivier Dunrea is about the newest member of the farm family, a little duckling named Ollie. While his friends await his arrival, he makes it clear he does NOT want to come out of his shell, even though everyone is cheering him on. |
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If you’ve ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed, you’ll appreciate this story of a bird who starts the day off grumpy but turns it around with a little understanding and positivity from his friends. |
For Preschoolers / Grade 1 / Grade 2
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This book by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is all about a child not wanting to go to sleep because he’s afraid of the dark. But soon the child realizes the dark doesn’t have to be scary, because sleeping is a gateway to wonderful dreams about the future. |
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If you’ve got an emerging reader in the house, these fun-filled, action-packed levelled readers from DK are just the thing to kick-start a love of reading on their own. My son is particularly enamoured with the Lego Star Wars series, but there are lots of different series to choose from – Lego Friends, Chima, Ninjago and more! |
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I’m a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis’ series of books for kids that touch on important topics like kindness, compassion, self-esteem and more. “Is There Really A Human Race” helps teach kids and parents alike that we need to slow down, enjoy life, and help each other – because we’re all in this together. |
For Tweens/Young Teens
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My daughter simply adores all of Raina Telgemeier’s autobiographical stories, especially Smile. These graphic novels are written with such authenticity and poignancy, making them popular with tweens and teens around the globe. |
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If you’ve got a Minecraft fan (or two!) in your house, these Minecraft-inspired stories by Mark Cheverton are sure to be a hit! Each story straddles the real world and the world of Minecraft, drawing the reader into a web of digital adventure that’s sure to please. |
What are YOUR family’s favourite stories? Let us know in the comments below.
For more reading resources, check out Investing in Literacy Without The Expense and Five Read-Along Favourites for Family Literacy Day.
Lisa is a writer, social media consultant and editor-in-chief of MomResource.ca. She’s a crafty, DIY-loving, fashionista who loves to unwind with a good manicure and an afternoon spent at a museum. Her husband, two kids and dog keep her pretty busy, but in her spare time, you can find her blogging at Fab Frugal Mama.
