How to Raise a Reader, by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

For people who love to read, one of the joys of parenthood is seeing one's children read.  New York Times Book Review children's books editors Pamela Paul and Maria Russo published an article in 2017 called "How to Raise a Reader" that was so well-received and widely read that they have expanded it into a book.  How to Raise a Reader is a great resource for parents and caregivers of children of all ages.

Some of their advice is so basic that you think everyone knows it.  But it's the kind of advice that is worth repeating and constantly reminding ourselves of.  They are not huge fans of forcing early reading, but they are fans of exposing children to books, even before the children are born.  Reading for oneself sets a pattern; "If you want to raise a reader, be a reader."  School is important, but that is "where children learn that they have to read.  Home is where kids lear to read because they want to.  It's where they learn to love to read."

Paul and Russo spend time at each developmental stage, encouraging habits and practices that build readers.  Don't be afraid to introduce even small children to "subjects for which they don't have any context."  Through every stage, parents can introduce books and topics that might spur the young reader's interest, but, especially as children mature, "you're not barreling in through the front door of your teenager's reading life" to dictate what they read.  Helpful suggestions and strategically placed books around the house are nice, though.

I love this idea: "Give your child one special book for every birthday in his life, to be kept in a special place on his shelf."  More than that, though, always make sure to have plenty of books available throughout the house, and not simply as keepsakes.  "Books are meant to be read, and well worn books are like living artifacts, their curled or worn or even marked up pages the record of many happy readers."

For each age level, Paul and Russo give lots of recommendations, including classics that were classic when I was a kid as well as books that were published in the last few years.  You'll find plenty of titles that will inspire you to run out to the bookstore to stock up for your kids (or for you!)  And of course you'll be inspired to pick up a book to read to or read with your kids.  Read on!


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

The article that started it all:
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/books/how-to-raise-a-reader?searchResultPosition=2&redirect=true