It’s still valuable to read to children even when they’re independent readers: it shows them that books are worth an adult’s attention, and that it can be a fun, shared activity
- Audiobooks are fantastic, especially on car journeys
- Encourage children to join the Summer Reading Challenge or the Winter Reading Challenge at the library
- When you’re reading together, stop on a cliffhanger so that they want to read on! Give them a slightly later bedtime to finish a chapter if they are reading solo
Information about The Summer Reading Challenge, run by The Reading Agency
Monthly Inspiration from BookTrust on what to read for this age group:
Nature is the Answer: A Toolkit for Eco-Positivity
by Chris Packham
Taking a grounded, step-by-step approach, the book begins with a chapter on understanding what “climate breakdown” actually means, followed by chapters on facing eco-anxiety, discovering mindfulness, building resilience, being heard, taking action, picturing the future and appreciating wins. The book layout and illustrations make everything feel well-paced and calm for the reader, and Packham’s friendly and helpful tone comes through the text.
