The Lost Art of Reading for Pleasure: How Can Parents Foster Their Children's Passion for Reading?

Diving into a book and losing yourself in a world peopled by your imagination is a joy that lovers of literature have reveled in for as long as there have been stories. Whether people seek to be excited, terrified, challenged, entertained, or informed, it begins with the pleasure of reading a book. Learning to read is a cornerstone of educational achievement. How to encourage a passion for reading so children want to engage is poorly understood. The role parents play and how support is offered to parents to ensure inclusive, respectful, and responsive strategies that support all families requires investigation. The “read to your child every night” call is no longer enough. Teachers need the support of parents to look to innovative solutions. This chapter investigates how teachers can support parents by asking five diverse and geographically remote parents what works for them.