Are you a book lover, but your child is a book avoider? BCLS is here to help. With all the distractions we have these days, it can be tough to get your little one away from a screen and in front of a book. Or maybe your tiny book nut has turned into an uninterested “screenager.” It’s common for kids to grow into new hobbies or away from stories, but all hope is not lost. BCLS offers many ways to get your child interested in reading.
Build Early Literacy Through Storytime
Give your child a head start on early literacy with a fun, engaging storytime program. BCLS branches host weekly storytimes tailored to different age groups. Through stories, songs and activities, little ones develop important early learning skills, including vocabulary, letter recognition, listening and an understanding of language. Storytime also encourages socialization and helps children build confidence as they prepare for school, all while discovering the joy of reading.
Keep the fun going by choosing a picture book from the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten collection. Featuring beloved classics and engaging favorites for children under age 5, this collection encourages early reading habits and introduces young readers to popular children's authors. You can also use the Beanstack app to track your child's progress, celebrate milestones and earn badges along the way.
Taking a different path to reading
If your child is reluctant to read, try reading outdoors! BCLS has two StoryWalk® locations: the original at the Burlington County Library in Westampton and a second location that opened last summer at Riverton Memorial Park. As families walk along the path, the story unfolds page by page. Each story also includes literacy tips and activity challenges, making it a fun way to explore reading and nature together.
If your child is hesitant to read aloud, a read-to-a-dog program can help build confidence. The Pinelands Library offers Paws to Read, where therapy dogs provide a patient, nonjudgmental audience for young readers. Reading aloud regularly helps children develop word recognition, decoding and pronunciation skills. With a friendly dog by their side, children may feel more comfortable tackling challenging passages and practicing their reading fluency without fear of making mistakes.
BCLS also offers books that read aloud to children. Both WonderBooks and VOX Books let children follow along as a story is narrated, helping them hear how words are pronounced, recognize the rhythm of language and build confidence as readers. The collections include a range of titles, from easy fiction and early readers to chapter books, juvenile fiction and nonfiction. These read-along books offer an engaging way for children to explore stories at their own pace while developing important literacy skills.
True life tales and comics-style stories
Graphic novels and nonfiction books can be great ways to engage reluctant readers with exciting stories and fascinating subjects. Many beloved children’s series have graphic novel adaptations, including The Baby-Sitters Club and The Boxcar Children. Popular series featuring characters such as Dog Man and The Bad Guys offer plenty of humor and action, too. For children who aren't drawn to fiction, nonfiction can spark an interest in reading through topics they already love, from historical events and fascinating figures to pop culture, science and more. The key is helping young readers discover books that capture their curiosity and show them that reading can be both enjoyable and rewarding.
There’s a list for that!
The BCLS website features librarian-curated reading lists covering seasonal favorites, holidays, genres and popular topics. These lists are a great way to explore the library catalog and discover books that might spark your child’s interest. Explore Staff Lists by selecting your preferred audience to find recommendations tailored to your child’s age. You never know which book might inspire a lifelong love of reading — and there’s no better way to start than with a big pile of exciting new books!
