Why holiday reading matters
And how to encourage it at your place
The dust has settled on the YKNR Teens & Reading event, but the takeaways linger on.
Our special guest Dr Bronwyn Reddan from Deakin University gave us so many great insights into how, where and when teens are reading (and how, when and why they’re not), but one clear message came through – time is a big issues for teens when it comes to reading, and school holidays are when a good proportion of them actually read for pleasure.
(Read the full Deakin University Teen Reading in the Digital Era report here.)
But it’s not just teens who benefit from holiday reading – and it’s not something that ‘just happens’, even in the home of a teacher librarian. Which is why Megan Daley advocates scheduling – especially in the holidays.
Megan Daley on the power of scheduling holiday reading
I used to think that my kids should just 'want' to read and that they would love reading so much that they would choose it over other things vying for their attention. But the reality is that the pull of the screens is often greater. The screen requires nothing but passively taking in whereas the book requires skills and brainpower. So I've changed my tack in the last few years.
We all accept the need to schedule in sporting practice and music practice because we know that in order to be half decent at these things, and to enjoy them, we need regular time set aside for practice.
Why not with reading? Because it's the same thing – the more we read the more skilled we become and the more skilled we become the more we enjoy it and see it as part of who we are as a person.
So yep... I schedule in reading everyday. And often that half hour or hour I insist on (and, yes, regularly get pushback on) ends up being much longer. Because just like pushing yourself to go for a walk – once you start you usually enjoy it and you always feel better and usually end up walking for longer than you intended.
The Beekeeper and I can also churn through books on holidays because if we don't model it, how can we expect our kids to come on board?
YKNR tools to help
Paid subscribers have access to our printable holiday reading ‘bingo’ card, with a fun series of tiny prompts aimed at encouraging wide reading and keeping kids in books over the holidays. Find it here.
A paid subscription brings permission to reproduce our content for school purposes, and we offer a seven-day trial period so you can see what’s on offer.
As a bonus, we’ve also unlocked our visual reading record PDF to make it FREE for all subscribers. This printable bookshelf comes in different sizes, allowing you to set up a reading goal challenge, or just to keep a record of the books your young reader enjoys this year. You’ll find it here.
And, of course, if you’re looking to discover new books for your young reader, join the YKNR Facebook community or visit our website to see all of our recommended reads lists.
UPDATES FROM TEAM YKNR
It’s been all about the events again for Team YKNR with our own Teens & Reading, book launches and a literary festival or two. But one of us does have big news about a new book.
HELLO FROM MEGAN DALEY
Megan is an award-winning teacher-librarian working in Brisbane, the author of Raising Readers: How to nurture a child’s love of books, and co-host of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast. Her debut picture book THE BEEHIVE is out now! More about Megan here.
I've had the most intense month of events to celebrate the launch of 'The Beehive' - the most recent events being a fab launch at Somerset Storyfest with bee cupcakes, live bees + a live Beekeeper to manage them (!) and a public art installation of a beehive. Storyfest was also my first experience of a literature festival as a picture book author and it was surreal, a little scary and amazing - such a well organised and attended festival.
Now we're off on a road trip with our former (much missed) neighbours over the holidays. Cannot wait.
MEGAN’S BOOKMARK REVIEWS
Each month, I share full reviews of two outstanding books that have crossed my desk. Bookmark these for your young readers.
‘Urban Legend Hunters’ by Joel McKerrow & Wayne Bryant
There is something sinister stirring in the town of Shadow Grove. It's a problem that requires the talent, training and dedication of professional urban legend (aka monster) hunters. It’s a shame there are none of these in this graphic novel ...
Meet Jeremy Jubaya who loves telling tales that make your blood curdle, fearless Samantha Small who takes no nonsense and Bad Boris, who is, well ... anything but bad!
This is not a fairytale. This is a hair-raising, spine-tingling, heart-pounding, hilarious adventure that is sure to scare everyone (except Samantha Small).
This new graphic novel from acclaimed poet Joel McKerrow is laugh-out-loud funny, just the right amount of spooky and a fab adventure. As you would expect, the language is poetic and while a graphic novel is not normally a book I would read aloud, this one begs to be read aloud as a bedtime read.
The Smallest Bee (8) loved this one and insisted on reading much of it aloud to us over the course of an evening. For readers 7+
Drawing on over twenty years of experience as psychologists, Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock share cutting-edge insights on how children can say 'no' to their phones. Kids will discover the effects that their phone has on their brain and body. They'll learn how to create a relationship with their phone on their terms. They'll even establish simple, healthy screen time habits that stick.
This handbook for children ages 10+ features:
-Ten practical steps to help children unplug from their phones
-A toolkit at the end of each step providing accessible, practical techniques
-Advice from trusted authors, psychologists who have spent two decades working with children and offer a warm and conversational voice
-Calming full colour illustrations by Lauriane Bohemier
-Further resources at the back of the book
As I mentioned on the podcast, I found this title really useful as a parent guide in helping my tween and teen manage their phone use. I'm unsure if I would be able to convince them to read the book themselves, but it’s a really practical and empowering handbook to help young people understand what a healthy relationship with their phone should look like.
HELLO FROM ALLISON RUSHBY
The award-winning, bestselling author of many, many books for children and adults, Allison Rushby’s novels are firm favourites in the Your Kid’s Next Read community. Her latest illustrated junior fiction series, The Wish Sisters, is fast gaining fans. More about Allison R here.
I’m on a mission. Our Easter giveaway in the group asked the following contentious question: what is your favourite flavour of hot cross bun and why? Now, I thought I was all over this. The thing is, Easter is always about the hot cross bun for me as the sad truth of my existence is that chocolate gives me a headache (no fear, I can still eat it – just with a side of paracetamol).
As I mentioned in the group, I’m quite particular about my hot cross buns. Baker’s Delight. Untoasted. Lurpak salted butter. Cup of T2 Baxter’s Buns hot cross bun tea on the side.
But the YKNReaders have opened my mind up to a whole new world of hot cross bun flavours. Apple and cinnamon! Caramilk! Fairy bread! Pizza Shapes (um, no, I’m just going to stop you there). I think I’m going to have to give them all a go (not the Pizza Shapes). And, of course, hot cross buns are the perfect Easter holiday reading snack – bun in one hand and book in the other. If books are involved, surely it’s research. Maybe even a tax deduction! I’ll ask my accountant.
THREAD OF THE MONTH
You know you’ve found your tribe when you’re planning out your CBCA Book Week costume five months in advance, roughly 5000 people read your post and 152 people weigh in with their thoughts.
Yeah. We’re hardcore Book Week fans around here. And we’re not ashamed of it. Not one bit.
HELLO FROM ALLISON TAIT
Writing as A. L. Tait, Allison is the internationally published, bestselling author of three middle-grade series: The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. She is an in-demand speaker, a writing teacher for kids and adults, and co-host of the YKNR podcast. Her latest novel THE FIRST SUMMER OF CALLIE McGEE is out now. More about Allison here.
It’s me! I’m the one with the book news! Sadly, all I can tell you is that I’ve signed a new contract with the team at Scholastic Australia and there will be a new A. L. Tait novel winging your way in 2025.
I wish I had more to say, and you’re probably wishing I did as well, but one thing I’ve discovered as an author over many years is that you have to celebrate every step of a new book. From typing The End all the way up to launch day, it’s those small celebrations that keep you on track and motivated.
So bear with me. More to come.
In the meantime, I’m busy writing and supporting Book Boy Jr through year 12. He’s my youngest and I don’t think I fully appreciated that this would be a year of lasts - last parent-teacher interviews, last school holidays, last last last. It’s an interesting place to be and Megan and I have been unpacking it a bit on the podcast.
CELEBRATING 150 EPISODES OF YKNR PODCAST
Speaking of the podcast, Megan and Allison were thrilled to celebrate 150 episodes a week or so ago. A big thank you to all the authors, illustrators and listeners who sent messages of appreciation and support!
And a message of appreciation to everyone who tunes in weekly for the bookmail, the interviews, the recommendations, the advocacy, the tips and advice, and, of course, the Quality Waffle.
We love making the podcast and knowing you’re out there listening – taking us on your walks or your shopping trips or to the gym or wherever with you – makes it all worthwhile.
Here’s to another 150 episodes!
APRIL BOOKMAIL WINNER
Each month, we give away a prize pack consisting of some of the brilliant bookmail sent to us for the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast. One winner* is chosen from our full subscriber list by random draw and announced here!
There are SIX books in the APRIL prize pack.
The APRIL bookmail giveaway winner is … Francesca Ciavola.
Congrats! We’ll be in touch by email.
Want a chance to win next month? All you have to do is subscribe.
Here’s to holiday reading!
We’ll see you in May with more bookish goodness. Later this month, paid subscribers can look forward to some essential tips and information about kids and creative writing.
Allison T, Allison R and Megan
*Australian mailing addresses only. Prize consists of one copy of each book pictured, sent as a pack to the winner by Australia Post. Winner will be contacted by email and prize must be claimed within 14 days or a redraw will take place. You must be subscribed to the YKNR newsletter by midnight (AEDST) the night before publication each month to be eligible to win. No correspondence will be entered into.