Read Time: 3 minutes

You’re never too old to learn more about children’s literature. The McKay School offers several extensive tools and resources, from conferences to apps, so you can maximize the benefit of children’s books wherever you are.

• Building with Books This BYU site recommends books for social and emotional learning. education.byu.edu/buildingsocialskills
• Book in a Bag This website has lesson plans created by the Mckay School to correlate with children’s books. guides.lib.byu.edu/bookinabag
• Worlds Awaiting The upcoming weekly show on literacy will be broadcast by BYU Radio and hosted by Rachel Wadham. She will be talking with scholars and authors from BYU and elsewhere.
• Kid’s Book Finder This app provides a list of books, authors, and descriptions of books collected by BYU professors Mike Tunnell and Jim Jacobs. Look for it in your device’s app store!

Simple ideas to help children enjoy reading

• Look for clues in the pictures. “What does this picture tell you?”
• Discuss the different characters. “Do you like this character? Why? Why not?"
• Talk about the plot. “What do you think will happen next?”
• Ask questions as you read. “Why did that character do that?”

Ways teachers can encourage reading

Suggested by Terrell Young

• Read the first chapter of a book. Encourage students to continue reading the book to see what happens.
• Talk about four or five books. Display them in the class library and watch them become hot commodities.
• Discuss a book with a specific topic. Students can ask 10 questions about that topic. The teacher can tell them ?if the answer is found in the book but not give the answer. The students must read the book to find the answers.
• Prepare a colorful book display in the classroom like the ones in bookstores. Feature books that are on ?one subject, by the same author, award-winning, fiction, nonfiction, or poetry or provide a variety of topics.
• Encourage students to get a library card and use it.
• Feed a student’s interest in a particular topic or book by supplying additional books, suggesting websites (including YouTube), and engaging in discussions about the topic.