One of the best ways to improve a child’s reading skills is by encouraging a love of books and sharing stories together. Creating routines and rituals around books will turn even the most reluctant readers into children with a love of stories. It requires some effort, but it’s also highly rewarding and is one way for parents and grandparents to create profound a connection with the little ones in their life. A few ways to do this are:
Go on special book outings together
Make a visit to the library or a bookshop a special outing that you share together. Include borrowing or buying a book, and time reading the chosen book afterwards.
Share the stories that you loved to read as a child
Authors like Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and J.K. Rowling remain popular and are being discovered by another generation of readers. Share your childhood reading experiences, both on and off the page.
Read on the go
Every day, there are countless ways to help a child build their vocabulary. Encourage reading everywhere and anywhere. Ask them to read labels, street signs, directions and more.
Bring the books to life
Does your child love to read about animals? Take a trip to your local zoo, WILD LIFE or SEA LIFE attraction and see if you can spot any of the animals that appear in their picture books! Get started with some of our animal-filled books including Colouroos, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals and Little Bilby's Aussie Easter Egg Hunt.
Talk about the books you read
It’s not enough to just read a book with a child – talk about that book too. These conversations help children absorb and articulate what they read.
Here are some of our favourite books to read with a child and then discuss afterwards.
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An empowering, uplifting picture book about what it is that makes you who you are, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo.
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Charlie loves whales. Minke whales, orcas, beluga whales and humpbacks, sperm whales and right whales, and especially the great blue whale. Little readers will delight in Charlie's obsession with, and the illustrations of, these majestic giants of the sea from one of Australia's most loved and awarded writers for children.
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A moving and joyful book for children from all backgrounds about the many ways we love, from award-winning author Randa Abdel-Fattah and acclaimed illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke.
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From the award-winning author of All the Ways to Be Smart, comes a warm and whimsical guide to negotiating new experiences and big emotions with empathy, kindness and words from the heart.
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A gentle story about showing bravery in the face of your fears that is sure to be a bedtime favourite. Perfect for fans of The Very Cranky Bear and The Gruffalo's Child.
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A book and CD edition of the much-loved picture book classic GIRAFFES CAN'T DANCE, with audio read by Hugh Laurie
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Hilarious, gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this is the next step up for readers of Kes Gray and Jim Field's bestselling OI FROG!
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Squidge Dibley is the new kid at Craglands South Primary ... and the school might not survive him. The start of a hilarious new series about a very strange class, perfect for fans of WEIRDO, FUNNY KID and TOM GATES.
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Discover the magic of the Faraway Tree. Now a major movie! The first enchanting story in the Magic Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton, the world's best-loved storyteller.
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