Books + Kids = Jolly Good Fun
Australian State Educational Departments run annual Reading Challenges that encourage school kids to read more books. In some States, they even operate a Summer Challenge as well. We all know the advantages of reading to young children daily and any program which gets more kids reading sounds like a good thing to me. What I find interesting is; What are the current books that the young generation are enjoying? Which author?
Yes, J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series scored well on the popularity list which does not surprise me. I love those books and can really relate to their attraction. Mem Fox’s books, especially Possum Magic, also rated highly with the younger readers (5-7 years) alongside The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Belinda by Pamela Allen. 8-9 years old love the Anna Fienberg Tashi series and the 10-12 age group voted for Jeannie Baker’s Window and also for Roald Dahl’s classic stories; The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
What is also important is that these stories can be enjoyed by any age group. My family are already devoted book readers (even though they cannot read yet!) My five year old’s favourite book is ANY Road Dahl book. She cannot get enough of Mr Fantastic Fox or The Twits. I think we have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory aloud to her about five times. There is strife in the house if we are home too late and rushing them into bed, think we can postpone reading until the next day! I am sure that Dr Seuss taught my kids how to rhyme (and also about the magic of making up a word) and while any story about fairies goes down a treat with daughters, they are not averse to stories about pirates and dinosaurs.
Reading Challenges and Programs have great benefits. No matter how old children are there are some great books out there. I am sure parents and carers get just as much out of reading these books as the kids do. Well done to all who participated.