I love reading for many reasons. It can be an escape from reality; a comfort for when you feel upset or fed up; nostalgic (I frequently reread my old picture books); just to relax; to think deeply about things (I’ve read a book called the Complete Philosophy Files and reviewed it on the Guardian Children’s book site!); to identify with characters; and also to savour the very words themselves.
The physical side of reading also plays a part. The feel of books, turning the pages, and the smell of books... (If you have ever smelled the pages of an old book, you will know what I mean.)
I always read for enjoyment. And being home-educated but about to go to secondary school, I assumed (well, hoped) that kids were allowed to read for enjoyment there too. Imagine my indignation when I received a letter from the school about a reading programme based on points and rewards which I will be expected to follow.
Shortly afterwards, at the Transition Day, it was revealed that the school is running a competition for children to read a certain number of books during the school holidays, for a reward such as a tablet, e-reader or gift token.
Why do teachers feel that they need to give out points and rewards for a simple act that is rewarding in itself? They don’t need to give out points to make people enjoy reading! In fact, they may be destroying children’s love of reading itself, to be replaced by a desire for the points and prizes that they get when they read. I think this is demeaning – and a form of bribery. Wouldn’t it be better to use the money spent on prizes to buy a wider range of books for the school library? There is a book for everyone, and children who say they hate reading just haven’t found that book yet.
Reading is its own reward!