This was the gist of today's Booking Through Thursday that is circling around and that apparently blogger won't let me copy and paste into my blog. And I am lazy because, I STARTED MY 4 DAY WEEKEND. Yes, that required shouting.
Anywhoo... My suggestions to be taken with a grain of salt. If it is a child, who claims to hate to read, I always first try to determine if they are having trouble reading. Since a surefire way to not like something is when one cannot do it well.
Barring any issues in that department. I start to question their sanity. How can you not like to read, child??? I kid. I kid. I ask them what they are interested in. Not related to books. Do you play sports? Do you like to run? Are you a fan of dolls? What is your favorite television show? Is there something you want to learn more about? Then I use these answers to come up with some reading selections.
A boy who likes sports? Matt Christopher. Scooby Doo fan? Here is a book. A fan of comedy? Captain Underpants to the rescue. Mysteries? Goosebumps. Michigan Chillers. Whatever. So it may not be "great literature," but it doesn't need to be. Hook em' with what they like and they will eventually venture out. Will it mean they will enjoy Shakespeare? No. Will they suddenly want to read the entire canon? Probably not. But, I am a firm believer in reading a gossip rag is better than being illiterate.
I remember growing up, my parents had us watch the nightly news with them every night and got two newspapers a day. I read them both willingly. My brother read the Sports sections in each. We both read every day. My dad read the newspaper and the occasional Mitch Albom or Ohio State related book. My mom always had a magazine and/or book going on. Reading was all around us. Yeah, my brother hasn't read a book since Junior High, but I read every day.
Positive experiences and encouragement go a very long way. Oh and a library membership that I believe everyone should have.
How did your parents shape you into becoming a reader? Or a non-reader? ::shudder:::
