The Importance of Choice

Did you know that the overwhelming majority of kids aged 6–17 agree that their favourite books—and the ones they are most likely to finish—are the ones they pick out themselves?

The simple act of selecting and reading books for pleasure has been proven to play an integral role in a child's success in school and adulthood. Children who read for pleasure consistently academically outperform their peers who rarely read.

"The research based on student-selected reading is robust and conclusive. Students read more, understand more, and are more likely to continue reading when they have the opportunity to choose what they read” (Allington and Gabriel, 2012)."

It's crucial for children to feel empowered in their reading journey and be able to select books that captivate their interests. When books are chosen for them, the likelihood of them developing a genuine passion for reading is diminished. By offering children abundant opportunities to choose what they read, we foster their independence as readers and help them cultivate a lifelong love for reading.

With consistent access to a wide range of print materials and actively encouraged to read for enjoyment, children are far more likely to develop a love for reading and appreciate its importance.