Keeping up with the appetite of young bookworms (or very hungry caterpillars), who can chew through a whole book in two or three sittings can be an expensive and time-consuming task. Here are some ideas for getting creative and tapping into community resources to keep them well-fed.
Family reading Olympics
Transform reading into a competitive sport by organising a family book club and setting reading challenges. Set goals and engage kids in some friendly competition where each contender logs as many books as possible under a different theme each month. Adventure, biographies, sci-fi, and chosen ‘feature authors’ are a great place to start. The encouragement of having their individual achievements celebrated might even encourage players to read outside of their comfort zones.
Extended family and friends can be invited to virtual family reading challenges. This could be a great way of connecting with each other on a deeper level and bridging generational and geographical gaps.
Find like-minded book-swappers
A thriving network of book-swappers may take a little more organising to set up, but, once on its feet, it means less trips to the bookstore. One purchase can circulate among as many members as you choose to invite to the party. Book purchases can be coordinated in a group chat, fostering a real sense of community and ‘old school’ excitement as you plan to revisit the classics, or pick up the latest highly anticipated new releases.
Research trilogies and book series
Put the brakes on speedy readers by creating a relaxing reading time ritual with a cosy reading nook set-up. Add a small library of books to complement it, and include some lengthy series and box-sets. These are some of the best book picks for voracious young readers, as they can completely immerse themselves in other worlds for extended periods of time while moving from one instalment to the next. This works particularly well with a book-swap group.
Plan some literary adventures
Take literary field trips in between books, specifically to places that feature prominently in the books your child is reading. If a book is set in a specific city or era, plan a visit to a museum, or historical site related to that setting. Add a little spice with a book cover or movie still photo challenge where you can get creative by visually recording the adventure of stepping into the pages of a story.
Try your hand at book-based cookery
Celebrate the end of an era (beloved book) by cooking up dishes featured in, or inspired by, the story. This is a multisensory experience that takes the potential learnings from reading the book to new heights. It can also deepen the connection to the story as core memories are formed around the tradition.
Love your local library
It may seem like an obvious fix for feeding the beast but libraries are an under-used community resource. They’re staffed by librarians and volunteers with a wealth of knowledge, and they have been brought into the 21st century with modern digital offerings.
Library memberships now include free internet access at the library, ebooks, audio books, and the opportunity to order books from neighbouring libraries – either online or in your local council’s library app.
Get your young reader independently engaged in their library membership and the simple act of researching and choosing their own books could foster a game- changing sense of ownership over their reading journey.
Check out your next local Lifeline Book Fair
Local Lifeline centres hold around four epic book fairs throughout the year. An impressive amount of excellent quality, pre-loved books (records, CDs, DVDs, vintage games, collectibles and more, too) are donated by the community for each event. It’s a sustainable and charitable way of stocking up on books, with the funds enabling Lifeline to continue providing free crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Fairs are run by volunteers, and the vibe is fun, as people attending are friendly and happy to connect with other booklovers. You can find some real bargains, too as there’s often a discounted pricing structure – meaning the more you spend, the more you save (but with genuinely amazing savings, speaking from experience).
Encourage interactive storytelling
Promote the healthy reading habit of pausing between books to properly process the story by encouraging kids to write their own alternate ending when they finish a book. It’s a great way to explore a deeper understanding of the book and its characters, and a chance to plant the seeds for a love of storytelling, as well as reading.
Putting together mini-plays after finishing a book is a fun take on this for younger readers. Bringing stories to life by performing them for family or friends (in person or virtually) can boost confidence, as well as comprehension.
Take the reading online
Today’s voracious readers have the advantage of being able to leverage technology to complement their appetite for books. Try subscription-based platforms for eBooks like Kindle Unlimited, Scried, and audiobooks from an app like Audible.
These book-related apps provide a portable, easy to replenish format and they’re an eye-healthy option for kids who wear glasses (or have tired eyes from so much reading).
Ditch the standard routine of buying, reading, and then buying more books, and watch the transformation from solitary activity to vibrant, interactive adventure with family, friends (and potentially your local community). The investment is time, and the payback is cultivating a life-long passion for literature in curious young minds.
