How dads can help their sons love reading

James Dunsford

Print

Fathers can help encourage their sons to read by helping them find books they find interesting or funny

Education experts say boys continue to lag behind girls when it comes to reading achievement. Many parents say that getting their sons to read, beyond what is required for school, can be like pulling teeth.

"Some books can be pretty boring and I just don't feel like reading them," 13-year old Hunter Thompson said. "I think a lot of boys feel like that."

Luckily, writers and publishers have recognized that they need to cater to what boys want in order to get them reading. Fathers can now find more books that their sons will actually enjoy reading - on topics including sports, historical nonfiction, potty humor, bloodthirsty vampires and action-packed graphic novels, fantasy and sleuthing.

Books like "Sweet Farts," written by fourth grade teacher Ray Sabini, who writes under the name Raymond Bean, are popular among kids and their parents. The book chronicles a 9-year-old's multimillion-dollar science fair invention of tablets that can change foul-smelling gas into the culprit's scent of choice.

"Reaching those reluctant boys, it's a challenge I take very, very seriously and this is what they think is funny," Sabini said. "There's also history in there. There's science in there, the problem of bullying, but it's the humor that gets their attention."

Others, like Scholastic's "Skeleton Creek" series, use password-protected websites to alternate book text and quick fixes of video to keep boys entertained.

Subscribe to the pregnancy newsletter or 4-8 year olds newsletter.

Email this | Print

Login with Facebook

Post a Comment


First Name:
City:
Email Address:
Comments:	Total Words: (400 words*)
	Enter the characters you see in the image. They are case sensitive.

Shopping

Article List

	Yes, you can help your son survive puberty!
	Will your kids become emotionally damaged after a big move?
	Are you a great dad - or just a pushover?
	Tough-but-fair punishments for misbehaving children
	Can children actually become responsible pet owners?
	When can I leave my children home alone?
	Has fatherhood changed in the digital age?
	Understanding the risks and dangers of SIDS
	How do I know if my child has a severe food allergy?
	Did your teenage son recently start dating? Some things to consider
	Help! My children are becoming couch potatoes!
	Don't panic - it's only your child's first cold
	Running errands with the kids - yes, it's possible

All section articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42