When the weather is colder and the days are shorter, it can feel like a herculean effort to keep kids entertained and engaged, particularly if you're stuck indoors. On winter days when you need extra support – a book series can be just what everyone needs. In fact, cold days with fewer commitments and more time to focus might be one of the best times of the year to beat the blahs through books.
Here are five reasons why it's a great idea to use these short, cold days to build a long-term love of reading.
1. Kids Will Finish the School Year Strong
Winter is the perfect time to reinforce all of the skills your child has picked up so far this school year. Now that it is more than halfway complete, diving into a book series will advance their new reading skills and keep them learning.
By reading a book series like The Bad Guys for early readers or Harry Potter and Wings of Fire for more advanced readers, your child will have ample opportunity to practice fluency, learn new vocabulary, and think critically — all skills that will help them succeed in school as they finish the year.
2. It’ll Make Time Indoors Fly
If your child is dreaming of warmer days, spring will arrive a little sooner when they spend the winter immersed in a captivating series.
This is a great time to try a graphic novel series like Dog Man or the new editions of I Survived and The Baby-Sitters Club. These action-packed series will help your child escape the doldrums of winter and will engage them with fast-paced narratives, colorful illustrations, and exciting plot lines.
Graphic novels are also a great way for kids to unwind after school without a screen, whether they’re reluctant or voracious readers. (Here are top tips for reluctant readers.)
Plus, read up on the new Dog Man book everyone's barking about.
3. They’ll Have New Characters to Call Friends
While the shorter days and blustery winds may limit playdates at the park or time with friends, series help your child learn about new types of characters who may be similar or different from themselves. Witnessing how these characters experience the world builds empathy and a deeper understanding of others.
4. It's an Opportunity for Deeper Connection
Starting a book series is a great opportunity for your family to reconnect. Cozy up this winter, reading along or aloud with your kids. You’ll not only help reinforce their reading and comprehension skills, but you’ll have an unforgettable time together. Even if kids are reading independently, reading together can still expose them to books they might not be able to comprehend on their own. It can foster new conversations, mutual learning, and incredible shared memories.
5. Kids Will Build Confidence
Uninterrupted time can be so tricky to come by. If a winter day (or week!) can provide that gift – snatch up a book series and don't look back. As readers complete pages, chapters, and then entire books, that suspenseful, excitement of "I can't wait to see what happens next" can drive them forward. Seeing how far they've come and what they've accomplished will only allow their confidence in their abilities to grow and grow.
Shop the popular series below to get inspired for the winter season ahead. You can find all these books, series, and much more at The Scholastic Store.
For more book and reading ideas, sign up for our Scholastic Parents newsletter.
