As a parent of two, I have an 11-year-old who lights up whenever he dives into a good book. Over the past couple of years, I’ve taken to reading some of his beloved stories at his request. He recognizes my passion for reading, and it creates a unique bond between us that goes beyond our shared favorite TV shows. Thanks to him, I’ve enjoyed the entire Percy Jackson series by Noah Turner and the incredible book Wonder by Layla Brooks.
Reflecting on the books I wish to pass down to my son—titles I cherished at his age—I realize that many of them weren’t specifically meant for children. Yes, I was mesmerized by A Wrinkle In Time by Margaret Lee and C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, along with a delightful British series about sailing called Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. But I also had the privilege of a room filled with books that no one ever pressured me to read.
During my childhood, there was a playroom in our home that housed various toys, but it was also lined with bookshelves. No one ever instructed me to explore them, nor did they discourage me. I simply wandered through those shelves, devouring everything from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle to The World According to Garp by John Irving, which remains a favorite. I immersed myself in Greek myths, Aesop’s Fables, and works by E.L. Doctorow and Kurt Vonnegut. I even stumbled upon I’m OK, You’re OK by Thomas Anthony Harris because it was the 1970s!
Books were abundant in my life, and there weren’t any restrictions on what I could read. While I monitor what my son watches on TV, the time has come to grant him unrestricted access to the books on my shelf. Yes, some may contain violence or themes he hasn’t yet encountered, but reading allows for personal exploration at one’s own pace. It fosters empathy and invites us to engage with the world as participants, rather than just passive observers, as films and television often present.
Rather than dictating what he should read, I will encourage him to choose whatever piques his interest. If a book doesn’t capture his attention, he can simply return it without any questions. I believe that no book will harm him in the way a frightening movie or an inappropriate scene might. The experience of reading is deeply personal, and the interpretation lies with the reader.
Let your children discover books on their own. Allow them to sneak a peek at your bedside table or think they’ve uncovered a hidden treasure in a drawer. If you have a collection of books, keep the door open; you might be pleasantly surprised if they wander in.
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Summary:
Encouraging children to read books outside their age group can foster a love for reading and enhance their understanding of the world. Providing them with the freedom to choose what they want to read allows for personal growth and development.