Books to encourage 6 year old to read - and when to read?

[justwondering72]

Hi all

I have a 6 year old boy, we live overseas, he's learning the local language in school and I am teaching him to read and write English at home. He's coming along fine with reading. He can probably manage most picture books, and is ready for some of the easier 'proper' books. But I just can't seem to motivate him to pick up a book and read for fun! The only two books I have seen him voluntarily choose are an Angry Birds annual and an old Usborne Science Encyclopedia for children. We've always read at bedtime, but while he will leaf through a book then, he still wants me to read to him and his younger brother rather than read his own book.

So I am looking for recommendations of books / series / authors to buy, to offer to him. I read the other thread that has a very similar title to mine, lots of good suggestions there.

I would also welcome some advice on my expectations about his reading. He's at school 0830 to 1630 every day through the week, he has sports activities after school on two days, plus half an hour homework each night. That basically leaves the weekend and a few evenings around dinner etc. He would far, far rather play CBBC games / watch TV / Ipad rather than read for relaxation. I am loath to start forcing him to read. But I can't see how it's going to compete with the 'easier' options of screen time. And I hold my hand up - he's far more likely to see me holding a screen than a book during the day these days. I just dont seem to have the head space / interest in fiction at the moment. DH is consciously reading books a lot more around him.

So any advice on making readong more attractive? Or should I go the opposite way and remove the TV / Ipad / laptop until books are the only option left??

[Cooroo]

My DD wasn't a great reader at that age so I read to her to keep her interest in stories alive. I forget ages but Horrid Henry was good value for quite a while. Then we did all of Narnia, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials (getting older!). I think reading aloud is a good compromise if they can't be bothered to read for pleasure.

[gingercat12]

MY DS is also 6. He has been reading Horrid Henry to me aloud in the car on our road trip lately. He loves it. I can second Harry Potter. We also love the How to Train Your Dragon books (much better than the films) and the Jamie Johnson football books (by Dan Freedman).

I have to say, we read to him more than he reads to us. They are just too tired by the evening. It is understandable that your DS wants to "veg" in front of the telly / ipad/ etc. You are already doing a fab job. (My DS sadly cannot read in my mother tongue - not English).