Book Recommendations You are Gonna Love! with Katie Berry

How to Nurture a Love for Reading in Your Kids: Tips from Katie Berry

When it comes to encouraging our kids to love reading, Katie Berry of Katie’s Book Recs has some fantastic advice. Whether you’re diving into the whimsical world of Winnie the Pooh, embarking on an adventure with Little House on the Prairie, or exploring the laugh-out-loud moments in Calvin and Hobbes, reading offers children a window into endless worlds of wonder, learning, and growth. Here’s how to make reading an enjoyable part of your family life, according to Katie’s insights and some great supporting advice.

1. Encourage Daily Reading: “Eyes or Ears, Reading Counts!”

Katie suggests aiming for at least 30 minutes of quiet reading every day. It doesn’t matter if kids are reading traditionally, on a Kindle Paperwhite (which even has a dyslexia-friendly font!), or listening to an audiobook. Audiobooks, with or without following along in the text, count as reading too! This flexibility gives kids options and makes reading accessible and enjoyable for those with different learning needs.

Katie’s motto, “You can read with your eyes or your ears,” opens up possibilities for kids who may find traditional reading challenging. Listening to a well-narrated audiobook can be just as immersive and enriching as reading a physical book.

2. Create a Cozy Reading Environment

Reading requires focus, so set up a distraction-free, cozy space. This could be a reading nook, a fort under the kitchen table, or a small tent in the living room. Turn off screens, bring out the pillows and blankets, and make it a place where your child feels comfortable and ready to lose themselves in a book. You could even let kids read by “candlelight” with LED candles or book lights, which can add a magical element to the experience.

3. Read Across Genres (and Be OK with Graphic Novels!)

Finding the right genre is sometimes all it takes to spark a love for reading. Whether your child gravitates toward graphic novels, historical fiction, fantasy, or fairy tales, don’t hesitate to give them a variety of genres. Katie herself loves everything from Ralph Moody’s Little Britches to the classic tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the clever wit of Oscar Wilde. Reading across genres broadens kids’ understanding of stories, characters, and settings, nurturing both curiosity and critical thinking.

4. Read Aloud (and Do It Often!)

Reading aloud has lasting benefits, especially for comprehension. When you read to your kids, they’re absorbing language patterns, vocabulary, and complex sentence structures far beyond what they might encounter in their independent reading. Activities like coloring or building with Legos while listening can help keep hands busy and minds engaged. Plus, reading aloud can be a way to enjoy books that might be too advanced for a child’s current reading level but perfect for their listening comprehension.

Sarah Mackenzie’s Read-Aloud Revival Podcast and The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease are excellent resources if you’re looking for more tips and book recommendations for read-aloud sessions.

5. Model Reading as a Parent

Show your kids you love reading! Children mimic their parents’ behavior, so make reading a visible part of your daily routine. Katie suggests mixing up your reading material too—modeling a love for all kinds of books, from Jane Austen to Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death. When kids see you enjoying a good book, they’ll understand that reading is a rewarding and fulfilling habit.

6. Nurture Lifelong Skills Through Reading

Reading isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way to develop critical thinking, build cultural literacy, and even initiate discussions about character and values. Katie reminds us that books allow kids to join in “the great conversation” of ideas and culture, which builds their knowledge and gives them a broader understanding of the world. A book like Amusing Ourselves to Death can spark meaningful conversations about the media and societal issues—an essential skill in today’s digital world.

7. Use Resources to Make Reading Fun and Accessible

Katie points to the Kindle Paperwhite as a game-changer for reluctant readers, especially those who struggle with dyslexia. Features like the built-in dictionary, vocabulary builder, and dyslexic-friendly font make it a valuable tool for any reader. For those who might need phonics help, resources like All About Reading, Logic of English, and Heggerty can make a big difference, particularly for struggling or younger readers.

Consider also integrating fun, goal-based incentives like reading charts, reading-related outings, or joining reading challenges. The Mensa Excellence in Reading Program can provide structured lists of culturally important books, and kids can earn rewards for their accomplishments.

8. Encourage Book Discussions—Without the Book Report!

While it’s tempting to assign book reports to ensure understanding, Katie suggests focusing instead on engaging, open-ended discussions. Sometimes the best book report is just sharing thoughts over dinner, drawing a favorite scene, or connecting the story to a real-world event. To keep reading fun, create literature units around a favorite book that include crafts, cooking, or related activities. The Wild and Free Book Club offers activity-filled book plans that can bring stories to life in memorable ways.

9. Use Audiobooks to Support Developing Readers

For kids who might struggle with reading independently, audiobooks offer a valuable way to build skills while enjoying great stories. Katie recommends pairing audiobooks with a printed copy of the book to help kids follow along. Many audiobook platforms allow you to adjust playback speeds, which can make listening accessible and enjoyable for any reading level.

10. Dive Into Recommended Books and Resources

Katie’s favorite reads include Winnie the Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner, Little Britches, and classic fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. For parents, she recommends The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler, The Read-Aloud Handbook, Honey for a Child’s Heart, and Books That Build Character. These provide valuable insights into why reading matters, especially when it comes to character development and cultural literacy.

Whether you’re reading aloud at snack time, sharing a cozy moment under a blanket fort, or listening to a classic audiobook on a road trip, remember that every reading moment counts. With Katie’s tips and some dedication, you can inspire a lifelong love of reading in your children—and give them the tools to engage meaningfully with the world around them.

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Lisa Nehring

Author, Publisher, Curriculum Developer at True North Homeschool Academy

Lisa Nehring has been married for over 30 years, has five children, 2 graduate degrees and a black belt in homeschooling. She has homeschooled since 1991 and wrote a Master’s Thesis on Why Parent’s Homeschool, the Literature Review being,A History of Education in America.

Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.