Immersing your child in a good book series can do wonders for their excitement to read independently. Choosing from an array of teacher-approved book series, picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and YA novels will open your child’s world up to different plots and characters they’ll love to follow.
Series are also a great way to entice beginning and striving readers to find something they’ll enjoy as their reading and comprehension skills develop. If you’re looking for ways to get your child hooked on a series, try the following three tips.
1. Start With a Movie or Show
One great way to spark your kid’s interest in reading is to find a book series that is connected to a show or a movie that they already enjoy or that piques their imagination.
For example, your child may be familiar with the adventures of Clifford, The Magic School Bus, and Stillwater from their favorite TV series, so choosing these books can encourage them to continue following the characters’ adventures.
This is also a wonderful opportunity for your child to make real-world connections. Ask them how they’d imagined things in the books and how they compare to the shows.
Meanwhile, older readers will love watching popular series, like Heartstopper, The Hunger Games, and Harry Potter, come to life on the big screen.
2. Turn Plotlines Into Their Reality
Use book series to invite your reader to examine the world around them and draw connections to real-life experiences. For example, you can get your child to become interested in nature with favorites like the Owl Diaries.
Ask your child about how they pictured Eva the owlet’s home in Treetopolis — what kind of trees make up the city? What other kinds of birds live there? Look up at the trees at the park and talk about what you see and connect ideas with your child’s favorite titles in the series.
3. Find Series They Can Relate To
Graphic novels are great for striving readers who are looking to improve their vocabulary and sharpen their reading comprehension. Plus, they can have a positive impact on their emotional development and how your child deals with challenges in their everyday lives.
For instance, middle schoolers will relate to popular graphic novel series like Definitely Nat, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Sisters, and Guts trilogy. Your kid can see themselves in the growing pains of establishing new friendships, fitting in, and taking on responsibilities. Seeing how the characters handle these challenges will help your child feel less alone and give them some tips on how to cope with these common struggles.
Those who like to laugh will find lots of humor in series like Dog Man, The Bad Guys, and Captain Underpants.
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