You can’t really blame children of this generation for being reluctant readers. With gaming consoles, unlimited TV shows, and social media vying for their attention, books, unfortunately, are quiet bystanders.
Add to that factors like parents forcing children to read books they pick, the pressure to finish books they start, and an absolute disinterest in the subject matter, and it leaves children feeling anxious every time they are asked to read a book.
So how can we help reluctant readers overcome their fear of reading and willingly reach for a book? By nudging them towards carefully curated books, of course!
Choose books from the following formats
- Hi-Lo or High Interest, Low Readability books – Themes of these books cater to older children but are designed in a format that doesn’t intimidate, often using larger font, easier sentences, and shorter chapters — engaging the reader with the theme and setting them up for success.
- Graphic novels or comics – Children are naturally attracted towards comics and graphic novels. These books are an amazing bridge between early reader books and chapter books. Their themes range from the comical to deeply layered and can easily be read in a short span of time, setting the reader up to pick up more books!
- Book sets – Having books in a ready set that takes away the question of what to read next helps reluctant readers stay committed to reading.
Here is a curated list of books to choose from!
Remember: Simply click the links to buy!
Name, Place, Magic! Stories of How Indian States Got Their Names
Shweta Ganesh Kumar
The perfect mix of fiction and non-fiction to hook even the most reluctant reader! This book traces the mythological story behind the names of the states of India. Told in an easy-to-read, fun format, the reader can dive into this book from anywhere! Get ready to spend time discovering stories filled with gods, goddesses, warriors, and fantastical creatures! Perfect for readers 8+ Buy here
Travelling Treasures
Mala Kumar
A perfect non-fiction book to dive into when your child is curious but doesn’t like to committ to reading a story book. Arranged alphabetically, your child can turn to any page and find information about a product and how it made its way to India. Items range from aeroplane to fork, to ketchup and pencil! This is a book that will keep them engaged for hours, and the best part is that they can read it from anywhere! Buy here.
Spaceship to the Universe: The Story of Libraries
Shruthi Rao and Anuradha Jagalur
Published during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book did a wonderful job of transporting you to libraries far and wide. It traces the origin stories of some of the world’s most amazing libraries — ones on battlefields and on boats. Ones on the backs of donekys and elephants and those in telephone booths! Read all about how libraries are not just stories filled with books, but they are capable fo changing lives. Perfect for readers ages 10+ Buy here.
Are There Bun Shops In The Jungles Of India?
Nandini Nayar
This is a wonderful non-fiction by prolific author Nandini Nayar. She draws the readers attention to the plight of animals affected by colonisation and uses an interesting method of letters and posters to highlight the plight of animals. This is a great book to encourage children to think of animals with empathy. The unique format of the book keeps the reader hooked and turning the pages. This is also an interesting way to look at the evils of colonisation which otherwise focuses only on the plight of human beings. Perfect for readers 10+ Buy here.
Inventor Lab: Awesome Builds for Smart Makers
If your child is interested in robotics or creating things from scratch, then this is the perfect book to move them away from YouTube videos and getting them interested in reading up on projects to create. Easy step-by-step instructions and interesting projects will engage and encourage them to read as they follow their passion. Buy here.
Have a child who lives and breathes LEGO? I cannot stress on how many children I have gifted this book to! This is the perfect way for reluctant readers to pursue their passion of building LEGO and read while they are at it! With more than 200 ideas, your child will be reading through this all summer long! Buy here.
The POFFS Collection of Funny Stories
Cyrus Broacha, Bijal Vachharajani, Sadaf Siddique, Lavanya Karthik, Sanjana Kapur
A collection of five books written and illustrated by some of the best authors and illustrators in the Indian kidlit world! This is perfect for a reluctant reader because as soon as they finish one book, there is another one waiting for them! Laugh your way through five hilarious books as children tackle everything from crazy family holidays to climate change. Relatable and easy to read. Perfect for kids 8+. Buy here
The Wall Friends Club
Varsha Seshan
This is an amazing book for reluctant readers to pick up because of two things: how fast-paced it is, and its engaging storyline. The Wall Friends Club is an epistolary novel and brings back the joy of keeping in touch with friends through letters. There is also so much that young readers can relate to in this book. In short, it is a great read for children 6+. Buy here.
Ninja Nani: Welcome to the Naniverse
Lavanya Karthik
Get your child this crazy box set of four books and watch as they devour them! Join Deepu and his crime-fighting Ninja Nani as they solve neighbourhood crimes, fight zombies, and battle mad mummies! The book is a narrative mixed with amazing illustrations that will remind children of a graphic novel and hook them until they finish the entire series! This is also a series they would love to read over and over again! Perfect for readers 6+ Buy here
A Girl, A Tiger, And A Very Strange Story
Paro Anand and Priya Kuriyan
Part story, part graphic novel, this is a unique book that tells the story of Junglee, a girl from the Pardhi community, and Raunaq, a tiger cub she befriends when they both lose their families. This is a perfect way to get kids 10+ reading, as this book will engage them with its unique format, where Junglee’s story is told through a narrative, and Raunaq’s story is told through graphic panels. The novelty of the story and its foundation in current affairs are different from other books and work towards piquing a middle grader’s curiosity. Buy here
Kishore Ashore
CG Salamander and Sahitya Rani
A lovely coming of age story of a young boy Kishore who goes with his father, a fisherman on the night boat. This book is written in the graphic novel format and will engage the readers with its richness of story and illustration. Readers are introduced to the humble, village life of fishermen who toil through the night to make ends meet. Along with Kishire, we are privy to their hardships and loneliness, their anxiety and excitement. This is a beautiful book to add to your collection. Buy here.
Song of the Asunam
CG Salamander and Rajiv Eipe
A graphic novel that explores the tender relationship formed between a young boy and a fantastical beast. Exploring complex themes of human-animal conflict and a relationships formed with creatures, this book can be an easy or layered read. Beautifully illustrated and captivating this is a great book to encourage reluctant readers. Best for readers 8+ Buy here
The one thing constant in a child’s life is their deep bonds of friendship and what better subject matter than friendship to pull them into reading a book! Let’s Be Best Friends Forever is a collection of amazing stories from Rabindranath Tagore’s classic, Kabuliwallah to Ruskin Bond’s story of his friend Harold, the hornbill. Each story will take the reader on an emotional ride and engage them till they finish the book! Perfect anthology for children 10+ Buy here.
The Mahabharata Comic Book Collection
I have seen even the most reluctant reader get lost in an Amar Chitra Katha comic book. This box set contains three volumes and 42 illustrated stories and is guaranteed to engage your child all summer long! The colours, the stories, and the format have a magical effect on a child as they curl up to read stories from the grand old epic. Perfect for children 6+. Buy here
Gods and Goddesses: Special Issue
Our home library has a tattered copy of this book which is a testament to how many times it has been read! The writers at Amar Chitra Katha weave magic as they bring alive the stories of Hindu gods and goddesses to young readers. Trust me, this book will definitely get your child reading! Buy here