As a parent of two children, one being 11 years old, I’ve witnessed the passion my son has for reading. Over the past couple of years, I’ve taken the opportunity to delve into some of his favorite books at his request. Sharing this passion for literature has created a unique bond between us, enhancing our conversations beyond just our favorite television shows. Through him, I’ve experienced the wonders of titles like the Percy Jackson series by Mark Anderson and the inspiring Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Reflecting on my own childhood, I realize that many of the books that captivated me during my formative years were not exclusively written for children. While I enjoyed classics like A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle and C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, I also had the privilege of accessing a diverse library at home that no one had ever restricted me from exploring.
In our house, there was a room filled with toys, but it also housed shelves bursting with books. No one instructed me to read them or discouraged me from doing so, allowing me the freedom to choose what piqued my interest. I eagerly consumed everything from Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood to John Irving’s The World According to Garp, which remains a cherished read. I also explored Greek myths, Aesop’s Fables, and works by E.L. Doctorow and Kurt Vonnegut. Even a copy of I’m OK, You’re OK by Thomas Anthony Harris found its way into my reading list during the 1970s.
Books filled my environment, and I learned to embrace reading without boundaries, gradually developing my taste thanks to my parents’ good judgment. One peculiar memory I have is of discovering a copy of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind in the bathroom. I read it regularly until I reached a cliffhanger on page 1024, which remains etched in my memory.
With this backdrop, I find it essential to provide my son with unrestricted access to the books on my shelf, despite some containing themes of violence, sexuality, and complex ideas. These elements are precisely what reading offers: a chance for children to contemplate challenging subjects at their own pace. Literature fosters empathy and allows readers to engage with stories as active participants rather than passive observers, a contrast to the experience of television and film.
I won’t dictate my son’s reading choices; instead, I encourage him to explore whatever he finds intriguing. If a book isn’t captivating, he can simply return it without any questions. I believe that nothing in those “adult” books will harm him—books do not leave scars like a frightening movie can. The reader’s interpretation is what matters.
Encouraging children to discover books independently can be profoundly beneficial. Allow them to “steal” books from your bedside or think they’ve found hidden gems in a drawer. If you keep your books accessible, you might find them exploring new literary worlds on their own.
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In summary, encouraging your children to read widely, including books that may not be strictly for their age group, can foster a love of literature and critical thinking that lasts a lifetime. By giving them the freedom to choose, you help cultivate their imagination and empathy.