There is something kind of tragic that happens when our kids become readers of their own right. It doesn’t always happen, of course, and there are ways for us to prevent it. But it’s awfully common.

That thing I’m talking about? When reading starts to feel like school.

It happens to most of us at one point or another, so you might not think this is a big red flag. 🚩

But you know what? I think it is.

If I notice a significant drop in how much my kids are reading for pleasure, I pay attention.

The good news:

This is simpler to remedy than you might think.

Today, I’m revisiting an episode from a few years ago about what to do when reading becomes a slog. What do we do when reading starts to feel like school?

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

  • The proven, positive impacts of free, voluntary reading
  • Why curriculums with long book lists raise red flags for me
  • Ideas for making reading an invitation to enjoyment, not another thing to check off the list

Some links are affiliate links

These books are just plain fun!

The Prairie Thief
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
Frindle
Edge of Extinction #1: The Ark Plan
The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
Mighty Jack
I’m Just No Good at Rhyming
Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon
Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure
Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse )
Willa the Wisp

Other books and resources mentioned in this episode:

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
The Young Reader’s Shakespeare: Hamlet
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction
Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard
The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
The Power of Reading

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