I love picture books, and I often write about them. In my post, Top 10 Reasons Picture Books Rock, I touch upon the importance of continuing to read aloud to your child even AFTER he/she is able to read independently. If you are making this transition, you may find the following articles helpful. I hope you’ll discover something to enhance your family’s shared reading experiences. Please note that although children may be ready for early readers and chapter books, I implore parents to continue reading picture books with/to your children. There is no better way to connect at the end of a hectic day than to get lost in a picture book together. This ritual is one you can continue well into their teen years (yes, really, I promise). A child should not be denied this sacred time with you, just because he has “grown up”. Reading and/or revisiting picture books is a comforting ritual for children, and picture books have a magical way of opening dialogue and accessing feelings that older children may not otherwise share with you. So, crack open a picture book and enjoy!
7 reasons why reading aloud to older kids is still very important
If you need further convincing that you should be reading to your older child. In this article, educator Jim Trelease explains why reading aloud to your child, no matter what her age, is the magic bullet for creating a lifelong reader.
The hidden benefits of reading aloud – even for older kids
Here is another great resource for reading to your older child. This article includes an extensive list of recommended books.
Reading Aloud With Children Twelve & Older
Do you read aloud with your older child? I’d love to hear about your experience-Mine is heading into the double digits next year! Yikes!
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Michelle Eastman Books 
Sylva Fae
I’ve just come downstairs from reading with my eldest to find your article. She’s a clever seven year old and the books she has to read are for homework. I don’t want her to see books as a chore, something she only does because she has to, so I read to her each night. We have our special one to one time when the little ones are asleep. I snuggle under the duvet with her, it’s cosy and I enjoy it as much as she does. We’re halfway through Andy Mulberry’s ‘Skycastle, The Demon and Me’ – great to inspire the imagination of a curious seven year old. When you have several children, it’s so easy for the eldest to get left out as you have to do everything for the little ones and rely on the eldest to just get on with it. Reading stories together is a way of ensuring your eldest has their special mummy (or daddy) time. The articles were interesting, thanks for sharing. I’d discovered without consciously knowing that children have a good understanding of much older books when being read to. I hope to continue reading to my children for as long as possible.
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Michelle R. Eastman
Jan-You are such a good mommy! My secret confession is that I still love reading picture books, so my son is forced to come along for the ride! Ha! On a serious note, I do covet the cuddle time (even though, he is fast approaching my height).
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