In honour of Book Week 2025 we have shared 5 simple ways to nurture a lifelong love of reading!

Stories have a way of carrying children to places where anything feels possible. One well-loved tale can spark curiosity, inspire big dreams, and plant the seeds for a lifelong love of reading.

For little ones, books are more than words on a page. They are invitations into new worlds, fresh ideas, and endless adventures.

Helping your child fall in love with reading does not require long lessons or strict routines. It’s about sharing moments of joy, connection, and wonder that make them want to open a book again and again.

Here are five simple and everyday ways to nurture a love of books from the very start.

1. Talking, Singing, or Reading to Your Baby Before Birth

Your baby starts recognising your voice long before they’re born. Reading, singing, or even gently chatting to your bump helps build connection and sets the stage for language development. Choose stories with rhythm and rhyme, or simply describe what you’re doing throughout the day. It all counts.

A wonderful first choice is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, with its gentle rhymes and calming tone that even babies in the womb can enjoy.

2. Read Aloud Every Day

Make books a natural part of your daily rhythm. Read during breakfast, at bedtime, or while waiting in the car. Variety keeps it fun. Mix in picture books, rhymes, poetry, and even audiobooks for longer car rides.

Classics like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle are perfect read-alouds, thanks to their repetition, rhythm, and colourful illustrations. Pair it with hands-on props like the QToys Caterpillar Storytelling Lacing Set to bring the story to life through tactile play.

The key is consistency. Even five minutes here and there can build strong reading habits that last a lifetime.

3. Create a Cosy Reading Spot

A warm, inviting reading nook can make books irresistible. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a comfy chair or a pile of cushions, a soft blanket, and a small basket of books will do the trick. If you’re looking for a shelf, a child-friendly display like the QToys 3 Tier Bookshelf makes it easy for little ones to see and choose their books.

Rotate the books every week or two so there’s always something new to discover. Add storytelling props like puppets, felt boards, or simple costumes to make the stories come alive.

Interactive books like Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell are perfect for little hands,  with their lift-the-flap surprises. For themed play, items such as the Viga Zoo Animals Lacing Blocks can extend the story into hands-on fun. 

4. Follow Their Interests

Let your child choose books about topics that they love, whether it’s dinosaurs, trucks, ballerinas, or fairy tales. When stories match their passions, reading feels more like and adventure and less like a task.

Adventure-filled titles like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen help children explore rhythm, sound effects, and imagination. You can make it even more fun with a cuddly storytelling friend like the Folkmanis Bear Cub Puppet.

For extra impact, connect books to real-life experiences. If you read about animals, visit the zoo. If a story is about baking, make cookies together. Linking stories to experiences helps children remember stories and stick to a child’s heart.

5. Let Them “Read” to You

Even before they can recognise words, children can “read” in their own way by turning pages, describing pictures, or retelling a story from memory.

Encourage this by asking open-ended questions such as “What do you think will happen next?” or giving them props to act out the scenes. Storytelling through play with puppets, small world sets, or dress-up accessories turns reading into something active and imaginative.

Books like Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill are perfect for interactive reading. Children can lift flaps, guess, and tell you what’s happening in their own words. You can even weave in movement play with the Hape Wooden Ride-On Dachshund Dog for active story re-enactments.

For more book suggestions and simple activities to make storytime engaging, visit the Raising Literacy Books & Activities page. It’s packed with age-appropriate ideas you can use right away.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Short attention spans? Start small with just a few minutes and build up slowly.

Screen distractions? Create screen-free times or zones for reading.

Reluctant readers? Try books with humour, interactive flaps, or audio versions.

Raising a reader doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the little, everyday moments such as cuddling up with a story, laughing over a silly rhyme, or acting out a favourite scene that plant the seeds for a lifelong love of books. The more you make books a source of joy, the more your child will see reading as something to treasure.

Remember, it’s not about perfect pronunciation or sticking to a schedule. It’s about your presence, your voice, and the shared moments that make them feel safe, curious, and loved. One bedtime story can become a memory they’ll hold onto for years.

Whether you start with a colourful board book, a well-loved picture book, or a silly rhyme that makes you both giggle, you are doing something wonderful. You’re building a foundation for language, creativity, and connection that will grow right alongside your child.

Start today with just one story and see where it takes you.