My son is a voracious reader, but he judges books by their covers. How can I help him see past them? | Leading questions

A Common Conundrum for Book-Loving Parents: Helping Children Look Beyond the Cover

Many parents of book-loving children find themselves in the same predicament. Their little ones are avid readers, devouring chapter books and begging to be read more stories. However, their parents have noticed a peculiar trait - they tend to judge books based on their covers rather than the content.

This phenomenon is not unique to every child who loves reading, but it's common enough that many parents are seeking advice on how to help their children see beyond the cover art and discover new authors and stories.

According to Eleanor, a mother of an 8-and-a-half-year-old son, her child unwraps gift books with great enthusiasm - only to dismiss them if he doesn't like the cover. She recalls that during his early years, when she was reading him stories aloud, they had a pact where he would listen to at least one page, which led him to discover many of his favorite books.

Eleanor admits that she understands the appeal of great illustration but feels frustrated because her child's preference for certain covers can be limiting. She wonders what triggers this reaction and how she can help him develop a more nuanced appreciation for book cover art.

One possible explanation for this behavior is that children are drawn to visually appealing images, especially if they feature their favorite characters or themes. In some cases, these covers may also carry strong emotional associations, such as excitement or fear, which can influence a child's perception of the story within.

Another approach is to encourage children to create their own book covers. This can be done by using various materials like paint, markers, glue, and even other books' covers, creating a collage or collaged covers that reflect their personal style. By doing so, they develop an emotional connection with the cover art and learn to appreciate its significance in relation to the story.

It is worth noting, however, that overemphasizing book covers can sometimes make them feel like a superficial aspect of reading rather than an integral part of the overall experience.

Eleanor shares her own childhood memories of making exercise book covers together with her mom using colorful crayons and watercolors. She notes how these customized books made school work more engaging and special, reflecting her unique personality.

When it comes to guiding children's aesthetic judgments, parents may struggle between catering to their child's preferences and wanting to broaden their horizons. While some might prefer to steer them towards specific styles or themes, others believe that allowing children to develop their own sensibilities is essential for fostering a lifelong love of reading.

Ultimately, the key to helping your child look beyond the cover lies in striking a balance between supporting their individual tastes and encouraging them to explore new experiences and perspectives. By doing so, you can help create a deeper appreciation for books and reading that goes beyond surface-level impressions.

So, how do you encourage your child to see past book covers? Do share your own strategies in the comments below!

I mean, come on... kids judging books based on cover art? That's like saying a pizza is only good if it's got a cool topping . It's all about finding that balance between catering to their interests and exposing them to new stuff. Can't just force-feed 'em Shakespeare or whatever... gotta let 'em discover for themselves. But at the same time, don't want 'em to get stuck on some bland cover art forever... maybe get creative with book covers like they do with video games?

I think this is super relatable. I mean, my little one is always like "oh no, I don't wanna read this one" just 'cause the cover isn't exactly his fave superhero or whatever . But then again, if he gets into a book and loves it, he's always asking me to read more of that author .

I think what Eleanor said about her child creating his own book covers is pure genius ! It makes total sense that he'd be more invested in making his own art rather than just looking at someone else's. And who knows, maybe it'll even help him develop a more nuanced appreciation for different cover styles?

But you're right, we don't wanna make the book covers the only thing he cares about. I mean, what if he gets into a story and loves it, but then starts to think that all books have to look like his fave cartoon .

I love how Eleanor shared her own childhood memories of making exercise book covers with her mom. It's so cute! And you're right, those customized books made school work way more fun for her. I think it's awesome that she's now passing on that same creativity to her child .

Anyway, I'm def gonna try this out with my little one. Wish me luck !

I think its pretty cool when kids get attached to certain authors or series just cuz of the cover art... like they'll be all "omg I love this book!!" but then get bored with a new one cuz the cover dont match ther fav character lol... i remember when im 8 me and my friends will spend hours makin our own comic books and illustrations, it was so much fun! Maybe u can try gettin ur kid involved in makin their own book covers or even illustrations? thats a great way to teach them about different art styles and not just stick to what they like... its all about findin that balance between followin ther interests and broadening ther horizons.

u know what's wild is when i was like 8 or something i used to love reading comics too but my favorite part was always the back of the book where they'd have these crazy artist credits it's so weird because now that im older i barely even look at those anymore lol. anyway, i feel for eleanor and her kid being stuck on covers all the time maybe she should try reading him some graphic novels or something? they're like, way more about the art than just the story

i totally get it, parents of bookworms r like "omg this cover is sooo cool!" while their kid's all about "wait what's the story?" i mean its not all bad tho, a lil creativity can go a long way in makin custom covers with ur fave characters or themes but yeah, u gotta find that balance b/w letting them be all expressive and encouraging 'em to try new things like, my sis used to make her own cover art 4 her diary & it was literally the best thing ever!

I think its pretty cool when kids get excited about books but sometimes the cover can be too much... like my nephew always knows if hes not gonna like a book from the cover lol . I try to let him pick his own books and then we discuss why he likes them, or if he doesn't like it maybe we could read one together and see what happens . Some friends told me that giving kids more creative freedom with their own book covers can be a good way to get them more interested in reading... maybe I'll try that next time!

I'm not sure I buy into the whole "kids judge books by their covers" thing . It's probably just kids being kids, and their little minds are trying to make sense of something new. But at the same time, it's kinda weird that parents are getting so worked up about it . Can't we just let them enjoy a good book without worrying about what cover they like? I mean, if your kid loves reading, they'll probably figure out what makes a great story even if they don't care about the art. Plus, have you seen some of these book covers lately? Like, what's up with all the weird graphics and font choices?

I think its pretty relatable when kids focus on the cover first, especially with all the amazing art out there. But at the same time, encouraging them to explore beyond that can be a challenge. My sister has this 5-year-old who just loves reading, but he only reads books with super cool covers... like, if it's not visually appealing, he might not even pick it up . I'm thinking of trying something like making book covers together with him, like you said. Maybe that way he can see the connection between the art and the story . The thing is, parents need to find a balance between supporting their child's interests and exposing them to new things... like, too much focus on one type of cover or style might not be good for them

I gotta say , it's pretty obvious why kids judge books based on the cover. I mean, who doesn't love a good graphic novel with sick artwork? But for some reason, parents are like "Uh, no, no, no, just read the book already!" Like, come on, guys, get over yourselves. It's just a book cover, right?

And yeah, Eleanor makes a great point about kids being drawn to visually appealing images. I've seen my own kid do that with video games too - it's all about the graphics, you know? But at the same time, I think it's cool that she wants to encourage her son to make his own book covers. That's a great way to teach him about self-expression and stuff.

But honestly, I think some parents can be kinda overbearing when it comes to this stuff. Like, don't try to steer your kid towards "classy" literature or whatever - let them find their own way. It's all about balance, you know?

I think it's so cool that kids are drawn to awesome illustrations , but at the same time, parents want them to dig deeper into the story . It's all about finding that balance between supporting their fave covers and introducing new authors . One thing that worked for me is letting my kiddo pick out his own book lights - it's like a special treat when he gets to choose what he reads with! #BookLove #ReadingIsFun

I was just at the park with my friends yesterday and saw this super cute puppy playing fetch with its owner. And it got me thinking, have you ever noticed how dogs always know when someone's having a bad day? Like, they can sense it from a mile away! My friend's dog always snuggles up next to her on the couch when she's feeling down . It's like, those dogs are little therapy animals or something! Anyway, back to book covers... I think what Eleanor's son needs is more exposure to different types of stories and authors . Maybe his parents can take him to a library or bookstore together? That way, he'll get to see all the cool books on display and maybe even find something that piques his interest .

omg i feel like my kid is same as eleanor's son lol he only reads books with cute characters on the cover. i tried showing him different types of stories but he still just picks the ones with his fave characters. maybe if i let him design his own book covers he'll be more open to reading other stuff? i did that once and it was so cool! my little one made this awesome collage using old book covers and now he's more willing to try new books

this is such a common issue nowadays . like, my cousin's kid is literally obsessed with the cover of a book - if it doesn't look "cool" enough, they're not interested . and it's sad because i feel like that limits their whole reading experience. my parents used to do this thing where we'd draw pictures on the inside covers of our books, so they were always special . but honestly, i think it's a good idea for kids (and parents!) to explore different styles and themes - it's not all about the aesthetic, you know? sometimes it's just about getting lost in a story