Encouraging Young Readers this season
“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope." — Emily Brontë
Sitting in the sunshine with birds chirping in the background, May has arrived with that lovely sense that spring is coming to an end. With holidays just around the corner and those long, golden evenings spent in the garden, it finally feels like summer is on its way.
But while many of us are starting to relax, for teenagers this time of year can feel anything but calm. Exams, revision, and coursework seem to take over, and it’s completely understandable that reading for pleasure gets pushed aside. This is where I often hear from parents wondering how to encourage their once avid bookworms back into reading. The truth is, when everything already feels overwhelming, even picking a book can feel like too much pressure. And when parents naturally step back from reading together as children grow older, many young people quietly drift away from books too.
So, I thought I’d share a few of my top tips for encouraging reading for pleasure at this time of year, when everything else seems to be competing for attention.
Take the pressure off
When your child is studying The Odyssey or tackling the works of Brontë, the last thing they want is to be faced with another 400-page novel. Instead, keep it light. A quick poem over breakfast or during a study break can be just enough. Collections like Allie Esiri’s A Poem for Every Day are perfect as it is short, engaging, and with just enough context to make each piece interesting without feeling like more “work.”Model the behaviour
It’s the old saying, children do what they see. If evenings are spent scrolling on your phone or watching TV, they’ll likely follow suit. But if they see you picking up a book and taking time to read, it normalises it. I remember as a child being allowed to stay up an extra hour if I was reading, and safe to say, I took full advantage of that!Make books easy to reach
Accessibility really matters. Having books around the house, on coffee tables, shelves, or even tucked into a bag, makes all the difference. Many teens naturally start exploring classics or well-known titles, so the books you already own might be just right. But if they’re out of sight or hard to grab, they’re much less likely to be picked up.Embrace all genres
Not every young reader wants to dive into fiction, especially when they’re already studying it at school. Non-fiction can be a great alternative and still offers that sense of escape, whether it’s cycling across Europe, exploring bothies in Scotland, uncovering archaeological discoveries, or walking the British coastline. Alongside this, graphic novels, comics, and magazines all play an important role in building a lifelong love of reading. Ultimately, it’s about helping them find something they genuinely enjoy because that’s what keeps them coming back to books.Talk about books, casually
Sometimes it’s as simple as a conversation. Asking what they’re reading (or even what they’ve chosen not to finish!) and listening without judgement can go a long way. These small, relaxed chats help build confidence and keep reading feeling enjoyable rather than like a task.Give the gift of reading
Allow your child to feel the joy of receiving a book chosen just for them. It’s exactly why we created our reading subscriptions. Each one is thoughtfully tailored to the individual reader, so there’s no pressure or guesswork involved; just a book chosen especially for them. Whether they’re in the mood for a brand new release, a cult classic, something uplifting, or an easy read they can dip in and out of, our subscriptions help them rediscover the joy of reading at their own pace. With each subscription, we add a thoughtful extra to enrich the reading experience, such as a book activity sheet, a creative prompt, or a gentle hands-on surprise like seeds to grow your own, helping to turn reading time into a special moment.
As the season shifts and life feels especially full, it’s worth remembering that reading doesn’t have to be another task on the list. It can be a pause, a moment of calm, or even just a few pages that offer a change of pace in a busy day. Whether it’s a quick poem over breakfast, a magazine in the garden, or a book picked up before bed, these small moments all add up.
Encouraging reading isn’t about setting targets or adding pressure. It’s about creating space for curiosity, choice, and enjoyment. By keeping things flexible, accessible, and led by your child’s interests, you’re helping to build a habit that can last far beyond exam season. We hope you can inspire a lifelong love of reading, no matter your age. To see our full range of subscriptions, click here. Happy Reading from LT.