Comments on: On Reading: Read the Books that Your Children Read

By: Jen Robinson

Jen Robinson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:00:40 +0000

Jennifer, I’m glad that you and Amanda are still having so much fun sharing books together (even if independently). What a memorable experience that will be for Amanda. Good luck staying caught up!

Michele, I do hope that you’ll be able to keep reading with your daughter as she gets older. I promise – it’s something worth remembering.

Tameka, it’s so great that you’ve been able to pass along a love of reading to your son. I really believe that it’s one of the best and longest-lasting gifts that parents can give to their children.

Cheryl, thanks for sharing your story. I love that you and your friend started a mother-daughter book club, and that’s been so successful. There have been a lot of great books published for that age range since Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (though that remains one of my favorites), and it’s great that you can experience them with your daughter.

Thanks again to all of you for your positive response to my article! I wish you happy reading, now and in the future.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:18:36 +0000

I love Jen Robinson’s book page, or any other for that matter that supports children’s reading. I didn’t start liking books until I was about 10 or 11 when I read “From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E. L. Konigsburg-mysteries are definately my favorite. Last year, a good friend and I started a Mother-Daughter Book Club and we love it. I love some of the 9-12 year old books just as much as my daughter. It has helped 2 of our daughter members love reading even more and their Mom’s got a chance to get back to reading. I highly recommend it for everyone. You have to make time to read, just like you make time to do your laundry or watch TV-however, I can skip the TV and read anyday. Thanks for this website and Happy Reading!!

By: Tameka

Tameka — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:28:21 +0000

I have been able to pass of my love of reading to my son, who will be 5 in a few months. Since he’s starting kindergarten this fall, I went to the library to stock up on the summer reading list that I saw posted at a few of the school’s websites in our area. He gets so excited when I read to him, sometimes asking for 2 books in 1 night! lol… I like the idea of a family reading group. I’ll have to keep that in mind for when he starts to read on his own.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:57:40 +0000

A great post. My daughter is still really young, but this is something great to keep in mind for when she gets older.

By: Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:47:02 +0000

Jen–thanks for the great advice (and the encouragement you’ve been to me over the years).

Amanda and I are reading Harry Potter together this summer (independently). She’s about to catch me, so I gotta get going on Year 5. . . .

By: Jen Robinson

Jen Robinson — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:53:43 +0000

Thanks, stephaniesmommybrain. Personally, I think that a family book club has even more value than an adult book club, because if you encourage your kids to love books, you’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.

And Lauren, I think it’s great that you’re reading some of the books that your son reads. And I’m glad that it’s been both door-opening and fun for you! I’m sure it’s great for your son, too.

AngelForever, I love hearing from teachers who make the effort to read the books that their students read. I think it can make a big difference, in terms of the teacher’s credibility in making recommendations. And now, it sounds like your son is the one who is benefiting from your appreciation of books. I’m sure that you will be able to continue reading books together, and discussing them, as he gets older. He’s very lucky!

By: TheAngelForever

TheAngelForever — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:46:14 +0000

As a Language Arts teacher I would always try to keep up on Children’s Literature. I made a point to read a lot of the books that my students were reading. I wanted to be able to talk with them about what they were reading. A lot of the parents of the 6th grade students would read along with their children.

My oldest is almost 5 and we love to read together. Our new favorite are chapter books where we take time to predict, question things, and discuss what is happening. I hope to be able to continue reading “with” him even when he is reading on his own.

Fabulous pointer for all parents

By: Lauren

Lauren — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:07:12 +0000

I love this post! Although I can’t read every book my son reads, I do try to keep up. You are so right that books can open the doors for conversations about important life issues. And, sometimes the books are just plain fun!

Thanks for the wonderful reminder!