Keeping kids reading
Today, I found Lynn’s blog Scattershot Direct (“Truth, beauty, darkness, and ire, all coming to you directly through the random focus of a Catholic mom, horror writer, and wannabe organic rancher”), which looks full of all kinds of interesting tales and observations. A sample:
She’s got a three post series on encouraging children to develop the habit of reading (be patient; at this writing her page is loading erratically):
Part One: Harry Potter is an easy book for children to enjoy– the reading level is not too high for most readers, but it’s straightforward enough to appeal to even higher level readers. The action is both swift and predictable– something is going to happen in each season, there will be danger and jokes, and there will be lots of images which are easy to visualize. Chocolate frogs, say, or a giant bearded groundskeeper, or a ginger-furred tomcat with torn ears. It has a very broad appeal. It gives children a taste of the pleasure that is to be had from reading. And then, when the children attempt to replicate that pleasure by reading another book, the troubles begin….
Part Two: Now comes the tricky part: how do you get parents to understand books? You know, something as simple as *more* categorization of juvenile and young adult titles might help a great deal, for the children and their parents. Grouping books of similar reading difficulty and subject together, that might work. Having the shelves organized by topic (there could be a special shelf for seriously depressing, albeit noble and topical novels that are in line to win lots of awards.) How difficult would it be to make sure 10 year old kids can *find* Eager’s “Magic” series when they finish HP? It can’t be too trying to put game and movie tie-in novels on the same shelf as the video game magazines. (I know, this falls into the area of the big agreements between retailers and companies, but those are evil anyways. Abolish.) What must be overcome, however, is the public perception that books are something esoteric and rare, something you buy only once in a great while. And while I hate to say it, the answer may rely partially on the Evil Corporate Entity that starts with “Wal” and other corporations of that ilk….
Part Three: Unlike television, books allow for a slower and more developed view of character, motivation, and plot. This deeper involvement is what gives books their emotional resonance….
Looks like Lynn lives around San Antonio. Does Blue Bell Ice Cream still have their Cherry Amaretto flavor? If so, I hope she’ll scoop herself a nice yummy bowlful for me.