The Real Way I Got My Kids to Read (And Yes, It Involves Bribery)

Because let’s be honest—most parenting advice doesn’t actually work

Let me start by saying this is not one of those “10 Expert-Approved Ways to Raise a Reader” kind of articles. Nope. We’re not doing that here. I know the types of gadgets we are up against and when the going gets tough, smart moms get going.

So feel free to report me to the Parenting Police, but this is going to be real talk. Mom-to-mom. And I’m going to tell you exactly what worked to get my kids reading – and spoiler alert: it’s not always “proper,” and some of it is borderline bribery. But guess what? It works. Like, every time.

These are the same tactics that got us reading in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. And I don’t know about you, but I turned out pretty book-obsessed (and only slightly emotionally damaged, ha!). So why fix what ain’t broken?

Let’s dive into the not-so-picture-perfect but actually effective ways I got my kids hooked on books.

1. I Bribed Them Shamelessly

There. I said it.

You know what made me read back in the day? Free pizza. Remember the Book It! program from Pizza Hut? Read a few books, flash your reading log, and boom – a free personal pan pizza. I have bookish friends who lived for that!

So of course, I created my own version at home.

• 5 books? Donut date.

• 10 books? New pack of glitter pens or gel markers.

• 15 books? Movie night with mom, complete with popcorn and ice cream.

• You know best what works best for your kids!

Does it sound like bribery? Maybe.
Does it work like magic? Absolutely.

2. I Let Them Pick the Weird Stuff

I stopped trying to shove “good literature” down their throats and let them choose what they liked – even if it was something I wouldn’t personally touch with a ten-foot pole.

Graphic novels? Yup.
Books about farting aliens? Sure.
Diary-style books that looked more doodled than written? Fine by me.

Honestly, graphic novels deserve more respect. They’re not “less than” real books. They’re smart, visually rich, and way easier for reluctant readers to enjoy. I’ve watched my kids go from “reading is boring” to devouring entire series just because of this format.

Plus, those comic-style bubbles and pictures help with understanding harder words – win-win!

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3. I Introduced Them to Audiobooks – and No, That’s Not Cheating

Some kids just learn better by listening. And let’s be honest, we all listen to stuff all day long – podcasts, audiobooks, music – so why not let them?

I didn’t grow up with audiobooks the way kids do today. Back in the 80s, we were lucky to have a good set of encyclopedias and maybe the occasional read-along cassette with a beep to “turn the page.” But these days? Audiobooks are everywhere—and I’ve honestly fallen in love with them myself. I listen while folding laundry, walking, or even winding down at night. And seeing how much my kids enjoy listening to stories too—sometimes even more than reading them on paper—I’ve realized that audiobooks aren’t a cheat code. They’re a game-changer.

So yes, audiobooks count. Especially if your child reads along or listens intently. That’s still story-immersion, and it totally builds vocabulary and comprehension. AND it keeps their eyes away from screens and minds focused.

4. I Didn’t Judge the Format – Reading Is Reading

I’ll admit it. I read more on my Kindle than with paperbacks these days. So why should I expect my kids to stick to “real books” only?

If they want to read on a Kindle, tablet, or even an app? Fine.
If they want to scroll through webtoons or digital comics? Great.
If they’re borrowing eBooks from the library app? Even better.

The format doesn’t matter. What matters is that they’re engaged in a story. That’s how we build lifelong readers – not by insisting every book must come with a paper smell and hard binding. Like everything else with the kids, we need to adapt to the times.

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5. I Used Pop Culture to My Advantage

I’ve always believed that reading doesn’t have to compete with screen time – it can complement it.

So when I see a show or movie based on a book, I pounce.

• 10 Things I Hate About You? That’s Taming of the Shrew.

• Clueless? Hello, Emma by Jane Austen.

• The Librarians on TV? Yep, there’s a whole manga series called Library Wars about action-hero librarians battling censorship. Seriously!

Sometimes, I even show them the movie first, and then casually mention, “You know there’s a book, right?” It works like reverse psychology, and they usually want to know what the book says that the movie didn’t. In fact that’s how my 9 year old fell in love with Meg Cabot’s “Princess Diaries”. We watched the movies together and I told her about the series. Of course she wanted more of it after the movies ended.

6. I Got Creative with Gifting

Books on their own don’t always feel like gifts to kids. So I started bundling them with fun extras:

• A plush toy from the book’s characters. Our first one was the Peter Rabbit stuffed toy along with a set of Beatrix Potter books.

• A cute tote bag with a themed book inside. We have done a ballet and a fairy theme. And the A-Z Mysteries boxed set along with a detective kit.

• A Kindle case and a gift card to “buy any book you want” for older kids and teens.

It’s not just about giving a book – it’s about creating a whole reading experience. And that’s way more exciting than a single wrapped paperback.

7. I Made Reading Look Normal (and Fun)

I didn’t make reading a big deal or a big thing. I just let them see me doing it regularly.

They saw me:

• Reading on vacation.

• Listening to audiobooks while cooking.

• Laughing at my Kindle in bed at midnight.

Kids notice what we do more than what we say. When reading is just part of normal life, they’re more likely to pick it up on their own. We now end our day by switching off all screens and spending 30 minutes reading in bed before going to sleep.

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Final Thoughts: Why Mess With What Works?

The truth is, everything that got us reading still works today.
Bribery. Audiobooks. Graphic novels. Book-based movies. Even a little nostalgia.

So if your kid isn’t reading the way you imagined, don’t panic. Don’t stress about “doing it right.”
Do what works. Be sneaky. Be creative. Bribe with snacks.

Because once a child loves reading, they’ll find their own way into the world of books – and that’s when the real magic begins.