Tips for reluctant readers
Published on: 07 November 2016 Author: Cressida Cowell
Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell, creator of the How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once universes, shares some of her top tips about engaging reluctant readers.
It can be hard to engage reluctant readers with books and reading. Books can seem like something quite boring to children compared to something quite visual like television, so you need to choose books that'll excite them. The most important thing is getting a child excited in reading, whatever it is.
Here are some tips that have helped me with reluctant readers:
- Use visual books e.g. the Tom Gates books or Captain Underpants
- Read funny books. I recommend Calvin and Hobbes or The Beano
- Find anything a child is already into e.g. Star Wars
- Engage them with fact books
- Experiment with all sorts of books to see what works
Watch my full vlog below to get more tips and to find out more about to how to engage reluctant readers with reading and books.
Top books for reluctant readers
Explore our pick of the best books for reluctant readers.
Books for reluctant readers (younger children)
There's a book out there for every child, even the most reluctant of readers. Try a few of the books below to see if they click with your child and help them love reading.
Books for reluctant readers (older children)
There's a book out there for every child, even the most reluctant of readers. There's fiction, non-fiction, rhyme and laugh-out-loud moments! Let us know which one works for your 9-12 year old.
Books for reluctant readers (12+)
There's a book out there for every teenager, even the most reluctant of readers. Try a few of the books below to see if they click with your teenager and help them love reading.
Topics: Writer in Residence, Features, Teacher tips
