How to Raise a Reader

by Pamela Paul & Maria Russo

REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

“Literacy experts talk about the need for a child to be exposed to books that are both mirrors and windows – some should be mirrors in which a child can see herself reflected, and others should be windows into the experiences of people who are different.”

If you’re a parent concerned about your child developing a love of reading, then this book should help you cultivate an appreciation for books. The New York Times Book Review editors Pamela Paul and Maris Russo have spent their lives exploring books, raising readers, and identifying connections on how to merge them. Some kids learn to read early on, while others are late bloomers. Encouraging children in the process while giving them freedom to find their own way in their own time is key, according to the editors, who raised six readers between them. All of their children developed healthy relationships with books, but each in her own time. They caution while it is important to make sure books are accessible for children, it is not wise to use reading as punishment or force the habit upon them. School is a place where children have to read, and home should be a place where children enjoy reading. And most importantly, “If you want to raise a reader, be a reader.” 

Today’s children grow up in a world full of distractions. Devices and televisions are quick means/*- of capturing the attention of children, and often books are used as a last resort. This manual, of sorts, suggests ways to make books a more likely option for leisure time without parental pressure and/or resistance from kids. This book is divided into sections based on children’s ages from infancy to adolescence. In each part, Paul and Russo make suggestions on when and how to read to your children, when to start reading alongside them, and when to give them the freedom to make their own reading choices. Each section gives detailed advice with an index of reading favorites from each genre, for each age group. Babies need to hear books read out loud to eventually form their own utterances. Toddlers should have more freedom at the library, and a book card is a child’s first form of identification. Make it a big deal and encourage responsibility. The editors caution against parents policing what their children read, instead focusing on the fact that they are reading, regardless of their preferences. Teenagers are discovering the world around them so quickly, having emotions while learning how to process them. Books are an excellent way to see others their age mature, learn hard lessons, deal with death, embrace romance, and cultivate friendships. If a friend breaks her heart, it might be easier to tolerate if something similar happened to her favorite character. 

I loved the subtle suggestions in this book, how the editors focus on building a strong foundation for readers, and in the process, developing a healthy relationship with your child. The index alone detailing all the editors’ favorites is worth the purchase, as each title is described and recommended by genre and corresponding personality type. As an avid reader, I found many of the tips and advice most helpful and have reconsidered my approach to fostering a love of reading in my children.