Reading for pleasure

[lifesteeth]

I want my 8 year old to read for pleasure, at the moment his only interests are swimming and sitting on the pc for hours, I just feel that reading would be hugely beneficial for him in so many ways.

Trouble is he doesn't like reading, probably because I became a little too obsessed during his first years of school and probably pushed him far too much...he is a brilliant reader though and would be capable of reading most books, he just doesn't like to!

So does anyone have any suggestions on

a) how to encourage him to read for pleasure
b) what books to buy him?

(p.s. Harry Potter is a no no!)

You've probably done this but how about taking him to the library and getting him to choose his books, make it a weekly visit that he comes to expect?

Or as he likes the computer so much how about getting him to choose a book off Amazon (or somewhere similar) order it himself etc (with your help)

hmm i find oyu haev to send uthem upstairs to bed earlier whiel you do antoehr kdis stories an make them
mine will rea mags nut nto a novel liek i used to

tryt he clarice bean books

ds read htem aslo the beaker books ( cliffhnager is a godo one not abotu beaker byt by j wilson)

also grk si great
alos read a page or tow for betiem then make him read a couple in his head

aslo all the mopurgo ones
mine doens tliek harry tosser wither

Comics? Perfectly good reading IMO. I used to laarrrve my brother's Beanos from 1970 which were all piled in the attic. I'd admit it's probably Judge Dredd or similar now and filled with huge weapons but there must be a slightly racier Beano equivalent for the Young Chaps.

Does he see you read books for pleasure? Maybe that would encourage him a bit?

DS2 (just 9) is obsessed with Terry Pratchett - there's a trilogy he started with (Truckers, Diggers and something else I've forgotten)about little people who live under floorboards etc, initially in a department store, which he loved. The Young James Bond books also went down well - first is Silverfin, by Charlie Higson. I read to him for 10 mins or so, and then he goes off to bed and reads for another 20 mins (I suspect longer). Bedtime was extended just for reading, so there is a sort of reward thing about it, which works. If you can find the right book you'll find he'll start reading some of the time he would be on the PC etc. Also make sure he sometimes sees you read for pleasure, so he realises it's a positive thing rather than a chore.

DS1 (about to turn 9) loves comics and Dr Who fact books, but is less keen on novels. Sometimes he finds a book he loves and will read a whole series, like "Unfortunate Events" or HP. Right now I am trying to encourage him to read a novel for 20 mins a night, and then he is allowed to read whatever he likes.

I think the key is getting him reading something he likes, regardless of its literary merits... be it comics, magazines, books or back of cereal packets!

Ime, boys often prefer comics and factual books rather than story books.

Has anyone heard of super diaper baby? DS picked this off amazon

Have you tried Captain Underpants? Very well loved by all little boys I know for the tiolet humour. Widely available in most bookshops.

fun with dick and jane was my favourite.

if only i knew then what i know now but.

I used to like the Willard Price 'Adventure' series, there are about 14 of them, written in the 50s and 60s (but I read them in the 80s and still enjoyed them so perhaps they will still hold the interest of a young boy?).
I used to like comics too.

DS (6) loved this series of Sprinters

I think captain underpants is somehow connected to super diaper baby...if its toilet humour it will be right up his street! I'll order it lol

Philip Ardagh's Eddie Dickens books are on offer on Bookpeople at the moment - he might like those. Also recommend Lemony snicket for the humour.
PS - Why is Harry Potter a no no?