KEEP READING FUN!
Books and reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. We in CBI believe that books are central to childhood. With so many high profile books for young  readers in recent years, particularly Harry Potter, it is easy to forget that reading does not come easily to everyone.
One in ten children in Ireland experience serious problems with literacy and girls have consistently higher reading scores than boys.
There are a number of things parents can do to support their children reading development. Research shows that children who can access books and other resources at home have higher reading scores than those who can’t. Make books a very central part of family life with our special Top Tips.
CBI’s top tips for encouraging readers
Make your home a book house – Leave books accessible, everywhere at home, in the kitchen, in the sitting room, even in the loo! Make sure there is a good selection available all of the time, Try to mix old favourites in with new titles.
Make your family a reading family – Are you a reader? If kids see you reading they are more likely to read themselves. Books, magazines, newspapers should all be part of your routine. This is especially important for boys. If dads, older brothers and other male relatives and friends are reading, they are more likely to read too.
Make your routine a reading routine – Try to keep reading a relaxing part of every Day, even if it is just for five minutes. Children enjoy a book at bedtime even when they are older. If they are able, try reading alternate chapters or pages with them. In turn encourage them to read to younger brothers or sisters.
Don’t worry too much if you think your child is reading below their ability. Instead encourage them to read anything that interests them. When they have developed regular reading habits start suggesting other titles to help improve their reading ability.
If you are concerned about your child’s reading ability, talk to their class teacher. Find out what reading activities are taking place in school and discuss them at home with your children. Attend school events that involve books and show your children your enthusiasm for their school reading
Join your local library and visit regularly. Libraries are a fantastic source of great books and great expertise. Ask your librarian for recommendations and tips for books for you and your child. Explore the children’s section with your child and make some selections together.
Draw your child into book by selecting subjects they are very interested in. If they like sport, find a book about their favourite team or player. Show them related articles in newspapers and magazines. Information books can be really useful for boys, have a selection they can dip into at home.
Humour is a fantastic way of attracting reluctant readers. Look for joke books, character stories and series that are packed with humour – Captain Underpants, Mr Gum, Forbidden Files and Dirty Bertie.
If your child likes a particular film, television programme or computer game look for related books or magazines.
Remember to keep reading fun, even if you are worried about your child’s reading ability try to keep your comments positive and upbeat. Don’t worry if they don’t finish all the books they are reading. Concentrate on what they can read, not what they can’t!
CBI’s Top New Reads for 2007
Andy Stanton, Illustrated by David Tazzyman
Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire
Egmont, £4.99, ISBN: 978-1-4052-2815-2
There's a new super-rich gingerbread man in town and Mr Gum is plotting to steal his billions and spoil everybody's fun. Can Polly save the day or will the grimster robbers make their getaway? Once again, Stanton's anarchic wit and Tazzyman's keen eye for the absurd make for a wonderfully imaginative romp through a world blissfully free of rules and logic.
Joe O’Brien, Illustrated by Jean Texier
Alfie Green and the Monkey Puzzler
In The Monkey Puzzler, Alfie Green and Fitzer just received invites to a circus run by monkeys – for free! But when an accident forces Alfie and Fitzer to flee home, they discover that these primates are doing a fair bit of monkeying around. These stories are packed with excitement and goofy humour for kids.
Dirty Bertie: Pants!
David Roberts, Written by Alan MacDonald
Stripes, £3.99, (PBK) ISBN: 978-1-84715-017-2
“Try not to cause any trouble”. A desperate and vain appeal from Bertie’s mum, as all Bertie will be causing in Pants! is trouble. From tricking his arch-enemy Know-All Nick into showing the whole school his pants, to destroying the set during his local theatre’s play, to ruining Royston Rich’s birthday party, wherever Bertie goes, pandemonium ensues. The humorous collection of short stories is set off by Roberts’s quirky drawings and taste for the bizarre.
BRENDAN O’BRIEN, ILLUSTRATED BY CARTOON SALOON
THE STORY OF IRELAND
THE O’BRIEN PRESS, EURO 19.95, ISBN 9780862788810
The Story of Ireland is bound to win praise from children and adults alike. Written in a lively, informal style its attractive pages are full of informative facts broken down into child-friendly, bite-sized pieces, ideal for internet savvy modern youngsters. From Celts to the Celtic Tiger, it’s a rollercoaster ride through Irish history. The excellent illustrations by Cartoon Saloon, a group of highly talented young artists and animators based in Kilkenny, are full of witty, authentic detail. Their work has an almost child-like exuberance. There are also maps and photographs, old and new. Every household in Ireland should have a copy, not to mention libraries and schools.
GABRIEL FITZMAURICE, ILLUSTRATED BY STELLA MAC DONALD
REALLY ROTTEN RHYMES
MERCIER PRESS, EURO 7.99 (PBK), ISBN 9781856355445
A truly revolting collection by Kerry poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice. Pooh, snot, burps, farts, and many more rotten subjects fill up the pages of this book.
‘A pimple on your backside/ is lumpy to the touch/ But what can you do about it? /Not Much.’ Fitzmaurice delights in his ‘deliciously disgusting’ poems. And certainly they will appeal not only to children but to what he describes as ‘the naughty child’s place in many adult hearts.’
Mad Grandad’s Wicked Pictures
A trip to Grandad’s to help paint the inside of the house shouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary. With some strange, old paint, Lenny and Grandad decide to design two scary creatures. To Lenny and Grandad’s horror, the monsters come alive and trap the two in a painting. Now, they must out-run their own terrifying creations. The story is unique and weird, and the pace is exhilaratingly fast.
Five hints to help you choose books for your children
Involve your children in choosing books at home, at school, in the bookshop and in the library.
Children are very attracted by cover images, support their choices by reading the blurb with them and help them to make up their mind.
Children love lots of gross and rude humour, don’t be afraid to buy them books about pants, poo and farts, they are great for giggle!
Series books can be a great tool, if you’re child likes a particular book, encourage them to find books by the same author or in the same series.
Recommendations by their friends will motivate them to read. Encourage them to lend and borrow books from friends.
Useful resources
Childrensbooksireland.ie
Contains information about publications and events and also a section with reading tips for all ages from babies up to teenagers
CBI also publishes - Book Fest, an annual Recommended Reading guide that highlights the best books on offer for young readers from babies to teenagers. Our expert panel of reviewers tackle all the new titles to produce a colourful quick reference guide. Copies of Book Fest are available free from your local library and bookshop during October and November. You can also receive your free copy by contacting CBI – www.childrensbooksireland.ie .
www.barringtonstoke.co.uk
Publishers who specialise in great titles for readers with difficulties. Also has downloadable leaflets for parents
www.literacytrust.org.uk
Run a number of campaigns to highlight importance of reading. Contains interesting information and hints
www.booktrusted.co.uk
Regularly updated list of books for every age group and extra material like material about authors and illustrators
www.obrien.ie
Contains news and books about Irish authors and includes downloadable activity sheets for popular books
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