How Favourite Characters Can Foster a Love of Reading

Packed full of well-loved characters, the Ladybird Readers series is a great way to help new readers develop their English-language skills. 

Favourite characters can help foster a love of reading from an early age. Ladybird Readers offer a host of well-known characters for children including Peppa Pig, Timmy, Spot and Peter Rabbit, all of who can help ease them into key reading skills.

We all know reading can sometimes be tricky, and using well-loved characters can help relieve the fear factor while adding a little fun. A familiar face on the page is always a great starting point from which to grow a love of reading. Here are a few tips and tricks that use characters and stories to kick-start everyday reading.

Pre-reading tasks

Before starting a book, it often helps to do a few pre-reading tasks. This could include discussion about the front cover of a book, setting the scene and exploring the theme of the book before any reading takes place.

This is much easier when favourite characters are involved. Learners will have more to say about the book, they will know more, and they will enjoy guessing what the story might be about.

Try asking a few questions before you start reading:

• Do you know who this is? What is their name? What are they like?
• What do you like about this character?
• Where have you seen them before?

Character games

1. Flashcard shout-out

Here, you can use the Ladybird Reader flashcards to play games at each stage of reading.

• Pre-reading: use the flashcards before reading takes place to look at prior knowledge the learners may have.
• Whilst Reading: pause to reflect on key language and characters.
• Post-reading: review key themes, looking at the related flashcards together.

2. Real-life object games

Hunt around the house for some objects related to the book.

• Pre-reading: try a show-and-tell to bring the book to life. If you are reading The Three Bears you could have some porridge, three bowls and three spoons. Then ask your reader to guess the story.
• Whilst reading: pause to look at objects connected to characters in the story.

3. The wall race

Put pictures or characters from the book around the room at home, or in the classroom.

• Pre-reading: ask the learners to guess who and what the story will be about.
• Whilst reading: ask learners to jump/hop/walk/run to the right picture as you read the story aloud.
• Post-reading: ask learners to collect each picture/character and say a few things that they learned from the story.