The Gift of Reading: How to Pick the Perfect Book For A Reluctant Young Reader This Christmas
To me, Christmas and reading are inextricably linked. As a kid, it meant lying out in front of the fire with my nose in a book because it was too cold to go outside, or writing down the name of my current fantasy series obsession because it involved a lot of made-up words jammed together and my parents wanted to make sure they got it right.
I was probably the only kid in my village who didn’t shake their wrapped presents hoping to hear a mysterious rattle because if they didn’t rattle, it was probably a book, and I was delighted.
And while I do maintain that books are the perfect gift – they wrap easy, they don’t need charging, they can be something deeply personal and connecting between family and friends – it can be a challenging one too. Kids have more competing for their attention now than ever. You might not know what they like. You might not even know if they like reading, and that can be hard, when all you want is for them to feel the same way about books you do.
But if you have a reluctant young reader to buy for, Christmas is the perfect time to ignite a love of reading. Here are five simple tips that might turn this holiday into a very bookish Christmas.
Hear Them Out
I visit a lot of schools as a children’s author, and I’ve found the easiest way to hook kids into reading is to make sure their choices are front-and-centre. Not even kid might think they’re a ‘book’ kid, but every kid is a story kid. Whether it’s movies, TV, games or anime, from a very young age kids will have a firm sense of what they like to see in a story, and then it’s just about finding a book that fits.
Ask them their favourite story from another medium. Phrase it like you’re looking for recommendations and watch their eyes light up as they get to school an adult on what’s cool. They’ll give you everything you need for that targeted book pick.
Make It Easy for Yourself
Ireland is a world leader in fiction for young people, and it’s a full-time job keeping up with all the excellent new releases. Luckily, there are people who have made it their full-time jobs and are really willing to help.
Resources like Discover Irish Children’s Books and Inis Magazine are fantastic to find modern, smart children’s books on almost any subject. Irish booksellers and librarians are also incredibly knowledgeable, and there’s nothing quite like an actual conversation with an expert to guide you through the shelves.
Reading: Meet Them Where They Are
My most recent novel, Conn of the Dead, is all about an ADHD kid (like I was) who finds books stressful precisely because they’re a little pocket of quiet in a busy world. Growing up now, however, there are innumerable ways to enjoy stories that accommodate most any kind of reader.
Whether it’s the vibrant, punchy graphic novels all about big explosions and mad inventions, or short, snappy novels intended to be read in one lazy afternoon, there’s really no wrong way to read. Audiobooks capture the feeling of being read to (and can be loaned out from Irish libraries to see if the child likes them) and there are publishers like Barrington Stoke that specialize in books for children with different learning needs. Even if that doesn’t apply to the kid you’re buying for, they can be great stepping stones into more demanding reads.
Make Reading A Treat
I really feel this advice goes for anyone. Writing is my job, and it still feels almost irresponsible to just take 30 minutes and sit down and read. There’s washing to do! I could be working! My son is gnawing on my leg!
But that’s a feeling to lean into, rather than avoid. If you want to stoke a love of reading in someone this Christmas, lean into that treaty feel; pick a time that suits you both, make yourselves cosy, break out some chocolates or the fancy tea, and lose yourself in a book. You never grow out of being read to, either, and it can take some of the pressure of a young reader to know that the story will be told to them rather than them having to navigate it by themselves.
And then, when they’re older, they’ll remember reading as this special and celebratory time, because they’ll remember spending it with you. And that’s a pretty good present, even if it doesn’t rattle when you shake it.
(c) Dave Rudden
About Tales of Darkisle 1: Conn of the Dead
After one misadventure too many, 11-year-old serial miscreant Conn is sent home from school. Picked up by his professor aunt Doireann, she takes him to her office in UCD’s National Folklore Collection on the way home. Surrounded by old books and artefacts, it’s only a matter of time before Conn puts a foot wrong …
Intrigued by a case marked ‘hazardous’, he opens it to reveal the ancient skull of the Abhartach, an undead sorcerer of terrible might. In doing so, he releases the monster, and a terrifying chase through the university ensues, as the bodiless sorcerer hunts Conn through every piece of technology it can find. Can Conn defeat the Abhartach before it regains its true power?
Order your copy online here.
And read more from Dave Rudden on Writing.ie here.
