Normally I don't force anything to them. At this stage there are a lot of stories that get the same points across, some better than others, and some will connect more than others. If he really likes a book (little engine that could) that I don't like, I'll stop read it but may try to talk him into other books. And if I like a book, he may want to read it based on my liking it, but he may be turned off from it (I really loved stegothesaurus, but he was meh).

I start reading what I like too but if he objects I stop and switch to the dinosaur book for the tenth time.

Agree that I curate books carefully.

I also will say “Mama gets to pick one too!” to my kids once they are four years old or so, but I only do that when I am going to pick a book I know they like well enough.

I've always been able to throw a new book in a pile of several books and typically my kids have loved them and asked for them over and over. Try starting with the Ordinary People... books by Brad Meltzer, and if you want to create extra interest, you could have him watch the Xavier Riddle TV show to go along. My kids thought it was cool when they read a book and then the show with the same person in it.

My kid was like this sometimes with books and movies. I would sometimes say “ I am going to watch this show, you can either watch it or go do something else” or “ I’m going to read this book, you can listen or go do something else “ 99% of the time she did it with me. Try this as an approach.

I read while kids build, draw and do other self-contained quiet activities. They bring me books that they want me to read, but I sneak in the books I want them to hear. So, no, nobody has had any objection to the books I sneak in, because they think that one of the other kids put it on the pile.

Anonymous wrote:We read 3 books a night- one that my DS picks (3), one that DD (5) picks and one that I pick. I've never had either of them tell me they didn't like a book and we needed to read something else. I doubt I would stop, too because I think all books are magical. I'm surprised your son doesn't like fiction books- those are my kid's favorites because I act them out and have different voices for all the characters.

I really like that my kids are different genders so both get to listen to books on both dinosaurs and princesses and not just dinosaurs. My son's favorite book is Madeline and he also loves Olivia the pig

This. We all get a pick. I don't force them to stay, though they usually do.

Just a few, like an anti-racist one and “it’s not the stork.” Sometimes it’s just the easiest way to teach a topic and it won’t destroy their love of reading.

We read 3 books a night- one that my DS picks (3), one that DD (5) picks and one that I pick. I've never had either of them tell me they didn't like a book and we needed to read something else. I doubt I would stop, too because I think all books are magical. I'm surprised your son doesn't like fiction books- those are my kid's favorites because I act them out and have different voices for all the characters.

I really like that my kids are different genders so both get to listen to books on both dinosaurs and princesses and not just dinosaurs. My son's favorite book is Madeline and he also loves Olivia the pig

I bring books home and read them. She can pick from what we have. But we haven't hone to the library (kid is 5). I read everything in an exciting voice and role play. Dh and i read different books. I say which ones are my favorite stories and ask her to listen with me. Sometimes i just start reading snd she can come listen or not.

Anonymous wrote:No, I want my kid to love reading. That said, There are some really well written and funny books that deal with these issues without being too pedantic. The pigeon books by mo Willems, for example. The crayon books by dayWalt. If you ask a librarian they will be able to help with that I bet.

+1 no, she picks, but then again we have curated a variety of books so hopefully she hits on the ones that I like too sometimes. But it isn't about you or what you think is best.

We have a rule to try a book once, like food

No, I want my kid to love reading. That said, There are some really well written and funny books that deal with these issues without being too pedantic. The pigeon books by mo Willems, for example. The crayon books by dayWalt. If you ask a librarian they will be able to help with that I bet.

I'd love to have my kids read books on emotions / self regulation, anti racism and different cultures, being a good person etc etc etc......and all he has interest in picking is non-fiction dinosaur and space books and occasionally a fiction book about trains / space / super heros. Any time I've tried to hype up a new book of my choosing, a couple of pages in he says he doesn't like it and wants a different one.

I've debated if I should say he gets to pick one and I get to pick one to expose him to a broader set of ideas and values, but i don't like the idea of turning reading together into something he has to sit through vs something fun and exciting that he loves.

what do you do / would you do?