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I’m always mulling over ideas about ways to introduce new opportunities for my kids to pick up a book and read but inspiration can strike in the strangest of places: I was recently in a charity shop when I saw a humble toast rack, the sort I associate with B&Bs, and suddenly I had a lightbulb moment!
It occurred to me that I could use the toast rack to display books on the kitchen table, making it easy and alluring for my kids to pick up something to read whilst eating their toast or cereal.
This has been perfect for the holidays, encouraging lingering over a book at breakfast.
I’ve enjoyed choosing a selection of new books each morning, searching out books my kids haven’t looked at for a while, or sneaking in a new one for them to discover.
The toast rack works really well with picture books because they aren’t as “fat” as chapter books (though maybe if I looked around I could find other toast racks with wider slots). I’ve also learned that it’s best to take off the dust jacket, to make it easy to slip the book in and out of the rack.
Do you encourage your kids to read at meal times? Where else do you try to sneak in reading opportunities?
Love, love, LOVE this idea!
Ruth, wishing you ever more confidence! Yes, some books may get a little dirty (we do have our fair few with broccoli or noodles sticking pages together…), but mostly the books are fine, and they are loved. I’m sure your 3.5 year old will get all the table manners he needs but he’ll also know that you value books, and the battle that mealtimes can sometimes be will be that much more pleasant for you.
Love The Art of Clean Up! Found it at the bookshop in the Tate Modern
HA Choxbox! That book doesn’t really do it for me but my kids adore it beyond belief. It’s a book they return to time and time again.