In a recent book club, the kids chose an Irish author, Alan Nolan. The title of the book is 'Death by Chocolate' and it's a graphic novel.
This book is aimed at 8 - 12 year olds. However, a 6 year old in this book club said he absolutely loved it. He explained how he wasn't able to read all of the words but the pictures helped him understand what the story was about. Another child said that his mum mentioned this wasn't exactly a book, it was more of a comic. So, here's my question, how important are the types of books your child reads?
Ultimately, I'm sure there are lots of parents who would love their kids to read the usual text based books and see them progress in their reading abilities. My opinion is that I don't care what a child reads as long as they are reading. I hold a Summer Reading Challenge each year and I learned very quickly that in order to engage as many kids as possible, they needed to be allowed to read and include everything. So for example, if a child chose to read comics such as Beano or Dandy, I told them they could be included. If they enjoyed reading annuals like Match of the Day or Disney Princess, they could include them. If they enjoyed fact books, they could include them.
My aim from holding book clubs and reading challenges has always been the same - to get more kids reading. My question is how much does it matter the shape or size of a book your child is reading, as long as they are reading?!! Let your kids make the decision as to what kind of book they read. Let them enjoy it. Talk to them about it. Let them tell you why they enjoy it. And, see them continue to enjoy reading with the freedom of choosing what they like and how it is presented.
As a footnote to this post, the above author, Alan Nolan visited us during World Book Week 2015. He delighted in telling the kids that because his parents allowed him to read tons of comics, he developed a love of drawing. He is now an Author and an Illustrator of children's books, find out more about him at www.alannolan.ie.
Ultimately, I'm sure there are lots of parents who would love their kids to read the usual text based books and see them progress in their reading abilities. My opinion is that I don't care what a child reads as long as they are reading. I hold a Summer Reading Challenge each year and I learned very quickly that in order to engage as many kids as possible, they needed to be allowed to read and include everything. So for example, if a child chose to read comics such as Beano or Dandy, I told them they could be included. If they enjoyed reading annuals like Match of the Day or Disney Princess, they could include them. If they enjoyed fact books, they could include them.
My aim from holding book clubs and reading challenges has always been the same - to get more kids reading. My question is how much does it matter the shape or size of a book your child is reading, as long as they are reading?!! Let your kids make the decision as to what kind of book they read. Let them enjoy it. Talk to them about it. Let them tell you why they enjoy it. And, see them continue to enjoy reading with the freedom of choosing what they like and how it is presented.
As a footnote to this post, the above author, Alan Nolan visited us during World Book Week 2015. He delighted in telling the kids that because his parents allowed him to read tons of comics, he developed a love of drawing. He is now an Author and an Illustrator of children's books, find out more about him at www.alannolan.ie.