Share tips on encouraging children to read and WIN a full set of Wimpy Kid books!

[ChrissieMumsnet]

To coincide with National Literacy Week (8 -14 September) we’re giving away ten full sets of the international bestselling children’s book Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Share your tips on how to engage reluctant readers to be in with a chance to win!

If you’ve ever spent hours pleading, bargaining or even bribing your DC to read, or practice their reading, then you’ll know what a challenge this can prove to weary parents. Sometimes all you need is a little incentive; and to find the right books to start. The much loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid series mixes words with black and white cartoons, which has often led to an improvement in children’s engagement with reading, even kick-starting their independent reading journey. Mumsnet and Puffin books want you be a part of the Wimpy Kid success story.

To enter our competition, we’d like to hear your stories and advice on how you helped a child to read; the more innovative, the better! And if Wimpy Kid has improved your child’s literacy (and perhaps saved your sanity!) then please share your experiences in the thread below. We look forward to reading!

This competition is sponsored by Puffin books. The publication of the ninth book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is 5 November 2014.

I think the book has to be fun and based on a topic they enjoy. My dd hates reading unless the book looks exciting, some of the books school send home are dull and boring.

I have always loved reading with my son, I think if you don't push them too hard they will just pick up reading and a love of books. I think go with what they read if its a comic that is fine, its still words, and never force them to read things they don't want too. I also found if you like one book by an author go to the library and research more books from the same author this always makes for a good read.

My DS was a bit reluctant, he preferred information books to stories so I helped him to choose books that would interest him and not be too difficult. I always read and listened to him read. He used to enjoy visits to the library, but I tried not to pressure him into reading books that were to difficult, too soon.
I think it is important to offer a variety of reading materials at home eg different types of books, comics, leaflets and menus, travel brochures, catalogues, magazines etc Also for the child to see the parent enjoying reading - books, magazines, news papes etc. Also I used to write things on paper with him eg shopping lists, cations for photos in his scrap book etc I found that encourages both reading and writing.

My son is 9.10, and is still finding reading a huge challenge. The school books are pretty dull (Oxford Reading Tree and such) and so I'm still on the hunt to find that magical book that get him hooked on reading, he is making progress but just doesn't seem to enjoy it and is very negative whenever I suggest any new books like David Walliams, Roald Dahl et al...
I definitely try to find books that interest him, he loves Lego and Minecraft so he enjoyed the Minecraft Handbooks and any Lego book, he also enjoys Toxic magazine which makes reading feel less of a chore.

My son struggled to read and would do anything to avoid reading. He loved adventure games on the PC and I used these to encourage him as the games had lots of on screen information to read. I also found books with puzzles and quests were a real hit, as they were not just reading but there were puzzles to complete and you dictated how the story would proceed. Taking it in turns to read a page was successful as it kept the story flowing.

For less confident readers small fact based books can be good.
My son struggles reading aloud so small paragraphs and praise build his confidence

Whoever Usborne do a range of puzzle books your son might enjoy. Then again you may have them already!

My tip is to tell your child that it's very naughty to read books under the covers by torchlight at night then give them a book they like, a torch and a big wink.

Thanks to everyone who shared their tips on this page. We think there's some really valuable suggestions here and we're going to be condensing the tips into a page of great tips that we'll share with you once it's live. The comp is now closed and Penguin will be selecting the ten winners who will be announced on this thread over the next week.

Congratulations to our comp winners: Barricade, Emrob86, Katb1973, Hopezibah, Mrsjavierbardem, Babyowl, Mommyisbest, Sss2012, Teddygirlonce and TheHouseatWhoCorner who have each won a full set of Wimpy Kid books. We'll be in touch by PM to get your details so we can organise for your prizes to be sent out.

Thanks again to all those who sent in tips. We'll post up a link to the content page about engaging reluctant readers as soon as it's live.

DS (6) has always enjoyed being read to and whilst he's not a reluctant reader he will always find other things to do before he picks up a book.

I abandoned any idea of what I thought he should be reading and just encouraged anything that he seemed to enjoy. So, whilst not everyone's cup of tea, Horrid Henry was a massive hit - starting with the Early Readers and then moving onto the paperbacks.

I don't know whether it is something to do with familiarity but DS loves going through series of books - we've ploughed through the Happy Families ones, Horrid Henry, Secret Seven, Frankie and the Magic Football, Naughtiest Girl, Daisy...

Finally, getting an extra 15mins to read before 'lights out' at bedtime is a big treat and definitely encourages him to snuggle up in bed and read.

WE have a whole set of Wimpy kid books which my two boys (7 & 10) did not get on with at all - if anyone wants them for postage they can PM me.

My six year old boy is a very reluctant reader so it has to be something either very funny or very gruesome! He does not enjoy the books they send from school at all. Pictures help massively and we love some of Matt Buckingham's work - Fairytale Twists, written by Katie Dale and illustrated by Matt Buckingham and The Gruesome Truth Series of books written by Jillian Powell. Fabulous pictures to make lots of conversation about.
Matt also does Bright Stanley books which my 4 year old is hooked on.

Children love illustrations! No matter what age they are. As a classteach of 10-11 year olds the class would ask me to draw a picture on the board. Tillie's Adventures are aimed at children of the 8-12 year old age group. www.heatherbmoon.com

My tip is just to start reading to them from a very early age and offer a wide variety of interesting books so they dont lose interest.