A mother concerned about her child’s lack of interest in
learning to read more proficiently recently asked me for suggestions. Her son
is bored by the beginning reader books he can read by himself, and so demurs
when his parents urge him to read more in his spare time. But the parents know
that their son needs to practice his reading if he is to become a better reader.
As a way of making reading seem more fun, I recommended that
the mom check out some joke books and riddle books. With my own son, I found
that he loved being able to read jokes and riddles to us, and quickly expanded
his ability as a reader. The important thing to note, however, is that a child
must already have some reading skills, since most of these books (except for
the “I Spy” books) aren’t for the very beginning reader. Also, put on your
patience cap as you are likely to hear the same corny jokes and riddles
multiple times. Just keep telling yourself that it’s all for a good cause:
helping your child become a better and more engaged reader.
Here are my recommendations:
The books in the “Riddles” series by Katy Hall and Lisa
Eisenberg are perfect for kids looking for entertaining reading. Each of the
books offers riddles on a different subject. Look for “Batty Riddles,” “Bunny
Riddles,” “Mummy Riddles,” etc. Yes, they’re pretty pun-heavy, but perfect for
kids in early elementary school. The illustrations by Nicole Rubel add an
appropriately zany note.
In the numerous “I Spy” books, author Jean Marzollo uses a
simple rhyming text that tells kids what items they should look for in the
detail-full photographs by Walter Wick. Marzollo’s text is fairly easy for most
young readers and it’s the game of looking for the items that will keep their
attention. Yet this is still a good way to get kids to practice their reading
without even knowing they’re doing it.
“Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road and Other Riddles Old
and New” is a treasury of jokes and riddles compiled by Joanna Cole and
Stephanie Calmenson. Here you’ll find hours’ worth of entertainment for your
young reader. Alan Tiegreen’s illustrations add to the fun.
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