Summer holidays: How to encourage kids to love reading

A LITERACY expert has revealed the best way to encourage kids to develop a love of reading as the summer’s must-read books for kids under 10 were unveiled.

CHILDREN’s books aren’t just for kids — a literacy expert warns parents should be just as entertained during reading time to best encourage youngsters.

The must-read books for kids under 10 have been revealed, with teachers and experts noting summer holidays were the perfect time to share a love of literacy.

“The main thing is to try to find things both of you find interesting because then both of you will enjoy it,” said Rebecca Henson, the State Library of Victoria’s reading and literacy development manager.

“Having that shared experience, it’s a large part of the development of children’s speaking and literacy.”

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Charlie, 8, and Chloe, 5, with their favourite books. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Ms Henson said just as important as a shared joy of books was a parent’s interaction with books.

“Children are extra-observant of their loved ones and by just seeing them sitting down reading, they might think, ‘Maybe I’ll give it a go’,” she said.

“It becomes part of the culture in your home.”

Among the best books for tiny tots at the State Library was Mem Fox and Judy Horacek’s Where is the Green Sheep?, which looks at a number of concepts for young kids.

Colours, opposites and rhyming are all explored in the search for the elusive green sheep.

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Dylan Manasseh loves the comical Treehouse books by Andy Griffiths.

Ms Henson also highlighted W hy I love Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft — its use of images and words pays homage to the awe-inspiring place we call home.

For older children, Grade 3/4 teacher Georgia Vabre rated David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny.

“It’s a great way for children to see that everyone has story worth listening to, you just have to ask,” she said.

“It’s also hilarious and very tender.”
And for kids nudging the double digits were the comical Treehouse books by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton and fantasy series Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda.

Ms Vabre, from Spensley Street Primary School, said books allowed children to “understand themselves through other people’s stories”.

Spensley Street Primary School teacher Georgia Vabre with student Joe, 9. Picture: Ian Currie

“Books are essential for imagination, for their own writing, for learning about the world, for developing empathy and for taking adventures,” she said.

Ms Henson urged families to “grab a book” these school holidays.

“If you’re away, you can visit the local library there so you don’t have to lug books around,” she said.

Take part in the State Library of Victoria’s ‘1000 Books Before School’ campaign and get a free reading record and kit: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/live-learn/1000-books-school

5 MUST-READ BOOKS FOR KIDS UNDER 10

— Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek

An exploration of colour and opposites with rhymes and repetition in a search for the Green Sheep

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek.

— Why I Love Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft

A celebration of country, its colour, special qualities and beauty

— Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

Don’t judge a book by its cover; Ben’s boring Granny is not quite what she seems

— Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

A series that appeals strongly to boys, a travelling trio seek to recover stolen gems to defeat allies of the Shadow Lord

— The Treehouse books by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Reading is a fun ride with Andy and Terry, two friends who live in world’s most amazing, ever-expanding tree house

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