How do you get kids into reading?

[GDS_Starfury]

this is coming into play in my world and I was wondering how you actual parents do this.
and no I'm not dating a chick with a kid.  fu Mirth.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

You need people like Asimov, Arthur C Clark, Piers Anthony, et cetera.

[GDS_Starfury]

sure... at some point.  more specifically how do you get a 9 year old into it?
it was the kids birthday and I got him a simple WW2 fighter game for his Wii and the simplest and most colorful book on WW2 fighters I could find.  I'm hoping the game sparks an interest in digging into the book.  I already tried this with a Cub Scout book about a year ago and that went no where.

[Mrs Darwin]

Early on, comic books.   Our younger daughter taught herself to read because we refused to buy her comic books before she could read them herself.  Beyond that, it's really just been a matter of paying attention to what the particular kid likes, and pointing out books that nourish that interest.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Since you put it like that, it has to be a way for exploring what interests HIM. You prod him with what interests you, he files it away as Uncle Star likes so and such.

[undercovergeek]

Since you put it like that, it has to be a way for exploring what interests HIM. You prod him with what interests you, he files it away as Uncle Star likes so and such.

this

kids will find their own author they like, their own illustrator and tell you which books - obviuosly its trial and error to start with but once they have a hook youre in

just dont be disappointed if its not WW2

[MetalDog]

Try a trip to the local chain book store.  I say chain because they usually have a large, colorful, childrens section.

[bayonetbrant]

Magic Tree House books worked for Bayonet Jr.  He started closer to age 7, but he's been reading ahead for a long time.  Comics were my gateway drug.

[eyebiter]

.

[Gusington]

Read with the kid. That's what The Wife and I have done. Then once they are old enough they will be into reading on their own.

[undercovergeek]

although its a sad day when you dont read them to sleep anymore

[endfire79]

My folks got me reading when I wax was being potty trained, it worked.

[undercovergeek]

you were waxed on the potty?  :o

that explains so much

[bayonetbrant]

although its a sad day when you dont read them to sleep anymore

yep, we read to the kids every night (still do for Bayonette) and that was part of the bedtime ritual.  We also had a few years of family reading one night a week where we read Journey to the Center of the Earth and Tom Sawyer and one of the Sherlock Homes books, aloud, around the living room together.  Tougher now with Bayonette's limited attention span, but we're going to bring it back this fall once we have Bayonet Jr's soccer schedule set.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

One night a week, instead of watching TV take the entire family to the library for an hour?

Now that you mention it, that is what my parents used to do. Sundays was walk around the Stanley Park Seawall, KFC bucket picnic at the beach, then walk to the library for an afternoon of reading.