Posted on 12/21/2016
The issue boils down to a culture that’s obsessed with screens and constant busy-ness. In such a world, books may seem outdated. By definition, though, truly recreational activities produce a positive effect on the individual, and books can certainly do that.
It’s Okay To Add a Little Honey
Remember, books aren’t vegetables, so we don’t want to treat them as if they were; they are the good stuff. But just like there’s nothing wrong with drizzling some honey on an apple, it’s okay to offer a little extra incentive, now and then. For some, simply recording the books read will feel like a feat; for others, a reward for filling a punch card or providing a more visual sense of accomplishment may be helpful. Another idea is checking off books on a specific list like one of these series for tweens or this must-read list for high schoolers. For some kids, such lists or incentives only create a sense that getting through books is the goal, rather than enjoying the process.
Satisfaction Found in Fiction
The human heart longs for significance, for something beyond the here and now. Through books, children learn to do more than escape from everyday life; they can also learn to grapple with life’s important issues. Classic stories help frame morality through empathy with fictional characters as well as inspiring character traits of heroes and heroines — traits such as bravery, perseverance, and loyalty. Unlike our addiction to screens, reading fiction allows us to become happier and more creative — traits we all hope to instill in our children! Whether they’re reading about the simple friendships of Pooh and his friends, the observations of Anne of Green Gables, or the narrow escapes of Bilbo Baggins, they’re growing in their appreciation of the goodness and beauty that surrounds them. And that’s a happy place to be.
Confidence and Power of Reading Living Books
Our children are growing up in an increasingly unintelligent culture in which images, sound bytes, and Tweets offer less than a Cliff’s Notes version of larger truths. As they mature, children need to learn to process nonfiction and form their own conclusions, instead of always relying on the interpretations of others. Unlike many textbooks that simply offer collections of facts, living books provide passionately written accounts of those who have gone before us, giving us context and appreciation for the complex philosophies and motivations of others.
In a culture that’s increasingly narcissistic, the kind of broader perspective provided through books opens for our children a world that’s much bigger than themselves. Only once they begin to understand it will they begin to care. And only when they care will they consider contributing to the goodness that surrounds them. Once they start walking down that road, boredom will no longer be seen as a real problem.
Read the Series
• Part 1: Do You Treat Books Like Vegetables?
• Part 2: How To Stop Treating Books Like Vegetables
• Part 3: If Books Aren’t Vegetables, Why Do We Have To Make Such an Effort?
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