How to Get Children to Read (5)

Book Selections

All these point to one important thing:  some child psychologists suggest that a child be supplied with a list of approved reading material.  That is all very well.  A child must have a good foundation on which to build a reading habit, just like adults are instructed to begin their lessons in literature with the Greek classics.

But considering the different avenues of interest now open to a child, perhaps parents should be more flexible in their selections.  Not beginning with Treasure Island, for example, won’t make an illiterate out of your child.  Look for less known authors whose stories are probably more exciting than the classics.

In some highly-rated colleges and universities here,  book reports on work by the likes of Anne Rice, Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, John Grisham and their ilk are acceptable.  They’re hardly unknown and they still have to make it to the Harvard Classics, but their books provide thrills and enjoyment which is the secret of good books.