I have received a copy of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for review. All thoughts are my own.
Jimmy and I readers. We have always loved to read. We have books and books stacked in the closet and we used to have all of them set up like a library, back before we needed that space for toys and more toys. My oldest son, always loved to read. He use to read through books faster than I could buy them. My younger son, Joey, who is now 16, and my daughter, Serenity, who is 10, are not big fans of reading. I always read to them as little kids. We use to spend lots of time with them snuggled on my lap and I read book after book. But once it was time for them to read to me, there was always hesitation. They just didn’t enjoy it. But I have found ways to get them more excited to read and get them at least enjoy reading a little.
Ways To Get Kids To Read
1. When the kids are young, be sure to read to them. We all know that. But it really helps. But when you read, don’t just read it like you are reading a newspaper. You need to make it fun. Bring it to life. Change your voice, if the book is sad, sound sad, if it happy, sound happy, or excited. Make it seem like a tv show.
2. Remind kids that books can take you away. You can be right in the middle of the adventure. Things that kids can’t do in real life, they can do in a book.
3. Find the right book: I have found that Serenity will happily read books about animals. Maybe it is the characters are wolves, or that the girl saves puppies. Whenever the story is about animal, she dives right in. Joey was a bit tougher. Now that he has an adult reading level, it has been much easier to find books he loved. But when he was younger, he like comic books, or books that maybe a longer story but that read like a comic book. I remember he love the Captain Underpants series, which was like a chapter book that was the written like a comic. He also loved Ripley’s Believe It or Not. We have collected them for years. I have shared my love for the Ripley’s Series before. (Check out previous books: Here and Here)
This year we are adding Reality Shock to the list. Ripley’s always bring those “Can’t bear to look but can’t look away” story. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Reality Shock is packed with stories about people, sports, animals, bodies, feats, art, and food. This book is full of all new page turners that will have kids yelling “Oh Cool”, “That’s Sick” and “OMG did you see this one?”
Are your kids happy to read? Are they reluctant? What are your tips to get the kids to read?
Dawn
Great tips for encouraging the kids to read! You’ve got to give them what they’re interested in. If you don’t, it’s an uphill battle that you’ll most likely loose.
Amanda
I think finding books that interest your child is a must. great tips!
Amber Edwards
I agree, you have to find the right books for the kids. My 2nd oldest has been a real struggle to get to read, until we discovered what types of books he likes. Now he is always reading. That is a big key.
Dee Mauser
I’ve always been interested in the things Ripley’s Believe it or Not shares. Things you wouldn’t even begin to thing existed. Didn’t know they have a book.
Ann Bacciaglia
These are all great tips. It is important to get kids to enjoy reading when they are kids. Both of my kids still love to read even now as teenagers.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos
Thanks for the ideas! I have 2 early readers that just aren’t that interested. I needed the tips!
Amy Desrosiers
My 7 year old is not very interested in reading. She really should be though!
Mama to 5 BLessings
This definitely sounds like a book my son would enjoy. .We love the Ripley’s museum before and my kids loved it.
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Kayla @ TheEclecticElement
I think reading to kids early on is such an important part of if they enjoy reading when they grow up. I loved reading at an early age and even though I’ve slowed down because of life, I still enjoy curling up with a good book and just passing the time away 🙂
Kristin
I believe reading is a great key to success. Great tips thank you for sharing.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets
What a fun book! We’re very lucky in that our kids love to read! Doesn’t take much nudging on our part. Hopefully the baby follows their lead.
Jennifer Williams
My oldest son went through a phase where he hated reading. He then found an author that he loved – we bought every book that man wrote. Now we are back to him not being able to find books because everything is about vampires, it is so hard to keep them going.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
Absolutely read to your kids!! It’s part of our nightly routine and as they get a bit older, they start reading to you!
Stacie
These are great tips!
Reading is 1 of those things you will need later in life… you know, not like calculus LOL
Aimee Smith
These are great tips. As a teacher my favorite trick was to get a child into a series, they would read one book after the other and learn to love it while they were at it!