How to buy a book for a child who doesn’t read?

Service International, Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) – Elaheh Shams: These days, many families are facing cost of living pressures and general fatigue from consumer rituals. The famous “four gift” rule—something the child wants, something they need, something to wear, and something to read—often turns into a meaningless repetition. Perhaps it’s time to sharpen the focus and pause on just one of these four options: a book.

The proposal is clear: give every child and teenager a book as a gift, especially those who say “they don’t read books.”

Usually, a child who shows interest in reading from the beginning receives books as gifts for all occasions. But it’s enough for a child to consider themselves a “non-reader” for any reason; in this case, those around them gradually remove them from the book gift-giving cycle. The result is a gap that deepens every year.

But what if we change the starting point? What if we consider all children potential readers, even those who haven’t yet found “their book”? In this case, a book always remains accessible, and this simple presence can provide the opportunity for change. This shift in perspective is increasingly important, given the decline in literacy levels and the significant reduction in recreational reading in Australia.

The main question is: How do we choose the right book?

The starting point is clear: the child’s interests. For every interest, whether fiction or non-fiction, there is a book. The issue isn’t finding a “simpler” book for those who read less; the issue is giving them a book that feels like it was written exactly for them.

In the next step, we must meet the child where they stand. Chronological age, school grade level, or a grown-up’s childhood reading memories are not accurate criteria. If a book with more illustrations, a graphic novel, an audiobook, a collection of jokes, or even a guide to tying knots is more attractive to the child, that is the correct choice. The book must match the child themselves, not their supposed reading level.

The element of pleasure should not be underestimated either. The festive season is not the time for literary advice and “self-help” books; unless your teenager is genuinely enthusiastic. If you want a child to open the pages of a book, they must feel they are encountering something enjoyable and desirable.

One effective method is to combine the book with a related gift. A cookbook with cooking tools, a soccer ball with a sports biography, a fairy house with fairy books, binoculars with a nature guide, or art supplies with an art book; in these combinations, the book immediately gains meaning and function.

Sources of help are not few: the school librarian, if such a facility still exists; independent bookstores; local libraries; or even conversations with friends and family about books their children are reading. Online suggestions can also be helpful, provided they are not chosen blindly.

Of course, giving a book is only half the journey. Encouraging reading is the next phase. Reading the first chapter together can remove the biggest obstacle: starting. Creating free time in the day also helps; summer holidays are a good opportunity for this “doing nothing.” With restrictions on social media use for under 16s, screen-free time becomes increasingly available.

Another important point is adult role models. A Monash University report shows that children who see adults reading are more attracted to books. Simply put: read in front of them, read with them, and talk about books.

The possibility of giving books is not limited only to children around us. Through institutions, books can also reach children we have never met.

In an era where misinformation is widespread everywhere, artificial intelligence has challenged critical and creative thinking skills, and newly built homes are full of media rooms but have no place for books, the message must be clear: books and reading still matter.

We can start with this festive season; slowly, consistently, and one book at a time.

Source: The Guardian, Thu 11 Dec 2025