Get Boys Reading NOW!

I have 3 beautiful boys so this is a topic that is very dear to my heart. My boys are all keen readers but it has taken a lot of support, effort and encouragement.

The National Literacy Trust (UK) has noted that girls continue to outpace boys in their enthusiasm for reading for pleasure. Their latest study also found that nearly twice as many boys as girls said they do not enjoy reading at all, by 13% to 7%.

“Too many boys still seem disinterested in reading, and far, far too many children simply never become readers at all. So we writers and illustrators and storytellers, and parents and teachers, and publishers and booksellers, must continue to play our part,” said the celebrated writer for young adults Michael Morpurgo.

Learning to read is hard work and takes a lot of practice. Reading can seem disjointed and slow going in the beginning but perseverance and encouragement is key. Make sure the books your boys are reading are the correct level as if they’re reading something that is too difficult they can quickly become de-motivated.

Getting your child to read their school reader each day is essential to the process. Yet these often dull and monotonous stories will hardly motivate free reading, which is why it is so important for you to read to your children each day. I have done this ever since my boys were babies. I try and select books that they would not necessary chose themselves, to increase their interest and range of genres

I tell my children I don’t care what they read, just read! If we try and direct our children’s reading content too much it can have the adverse effect. I have reluctantly taken multiple copies of Captain Underpants and Killer Zombie books to the checkout after trying the hard sell on more “literary” content but if that is what they are interested in then FANTASTIC!!! There is plenty of time for them to decide to branch out into more literary content.

Pick a book series or a favourite author! This makes it easy for boys to select their next book. While I can spend hours in a bookshop or library my boys need to be in and out in 5 minutes. A book series will make selecting your next read, super easy. Some brilliant series books are

• The Treehouse Series by Andy Griffith and Terry Denton (part picture book and part novel these books are easy to read and hilarious)

• The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey (super easy for beginning readers)

• Weir Do by Ahn Do (a mix of humour and real life school nighmares)

• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey (offensive and obserd, just what every boys loves)

• Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinny (so funny! Follow Greg though so sticky situations with his sidekick Rowley and his terrible big brother Roderick)

• Tom Gates by Liz Pichon similar to Wimpy Kid but in an easier to read format, this series is great for early readers.

• You Choose Series by George Ivanoff (you get to decide what the characters do and ultimately how the story ends)

• Lemony Snickets Series By lemony Snickets (quirky and just a little bit scary...)

• Any book written by David Walliams (the new Roald Dahl. Great stories written with humour and sensitivity)

Be a reading role model. If your children see you reading they see it as a real form or entertainment or relaxation. Discuss books your reading with your boys and let them see how engaged you are with your books and the excitement of finding out what will happen next.

Set aside time for reading! At bedtime I give my children the option of “lights out” or “20 minutes of reading”. Surprise, surprise they always decide to read something.

Some genres that particularly resonate with boys are humour, graphic novels.

The books below are some great starting points to encourage reading

1. The Gruffalo and Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson

All ages from birth and up...

OK, so I know this is 2 books but I just could not decide. I love Julia Donaldson because she tells a wonderful story with hysterical humour and makes it all rhyme beautifully.

Even from a very young age I would read these books to my children. The words just have a magical and mesmerising effect when they are read. Even the smallest of children are sucked into these beautifully illustrated books.

If you have not meet the Gruffalo then I'm not sure where you've been living for the last 20 years. This is the story of how a clever mouse who escapes being eaten by the fierce gruffalo.

When I duckbill dinosaur egg is accidentally mixed up in a T-Rex nest Drip is born. Vegetarian and kind to others he just does not fit in with his ferocious brothers.

One day he sees the duckbill dinosaurs swimming and eating seaweed and feels immediately at home.

This story is about finding your place, and being true to yourself, apposing bad behaviour and being kind. All told in beautifully rhyming words.

2. Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

Age 3+

A boy discovers a penguin on his doorstep and decides that the penguin must be lost Together they set out to find the penguin’s home, and so begins a journey of determination and friendship.

3. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Voirst

Ages 3+

Alexander is a character children can relate to – after all we all have bad days, when nothing seems to go right and the whole world is against you!

4. The Invisible Boy By by Trudy Ludwig

4+

This picture book introduces us to Brian, the invisible boy, who nobody seems to notice. Nobody ever thinks to include him in their group, game, or birthday party ... until, Justine, the new kid comes to class. Brian welcomes Justine and when they team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine. This gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish. Any parent or teacher, looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource

5. The Boy and the Spy by Felice Arena

Age 8+

An action packed historical novel set in Italy during WW2. Antonio, a rota (orphan), comes across an American spy hiding in a sea cave and together with the resistance, helps him to escape Nazi capture.

6. The Boy In The Dress By David Walliams

Age 9+

I love this book, my boys love this book! It's funny, sensitive and just a great story.

This is the story of Dennis who is different. He loves to play football but he also loves fashion and dresses.

Growing up with his truck driving dad and big brother Dennis must find a way to stay true to himself.

7. The Most Important Thing by Avi

Perfect for 10+

One of the most beloved writers of our time presents seven short stories exploring the vital ties between fathers and sons.

At times heartbreaking, hopeful, and funny, these stories show us boys seeking acceptance, guidance, or just someone to look up to. Each one shines a different light on the question “What is the most important thing a father can do for his son?”

8. The Raven (poem) by Edgar Allen Poe

Age 8+

This narrative poem written in 1845 is little bit scary, involves a little bit of supernatural, has some fantastic rhyming and beautiful musical like language. I have to admit we can across this poem on Youtube where it is an animated piece, but then we looked up the written version and read it over and over again trying to work out all the imagery – it’s like a puzzle.

#PersonalImprovement #Classroom #Strategies #learning