Why You Should Read Children’s Books As An Adult
By: Lana Graham
Tags: Family, Children, Books, Childrens Books, Reading

Why You Should Read Children’s Books As An Adult

You might be surprised by the benefits of reading a simple children’s tale

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

My bookshelf is crammed full of children’s books. There are picture books, middle-grade fart-joke books, tween adventure books, and young adult coming-of-age books.

Sure, I have actual kids living in my house, so that’s one of the reasons I own a lot of children’s books.

When visitors come over, they marvel at the children’s literature that fills my shelves, tables, and floors in my house. They tell me how lucky my kids are to have so many books to read. I nod in agreement. Sure, those books are all for my kids.

To tell you the truth, I purchased more than half of those books for myself.

I love reading books that are targeted toward kids. Probably more than I enjoy reading adult books.

Of course, I still read my beloved English classics and contemporary adult fiction novels. But in the past ten years or so, after having kids, I’ve noticed my collection of children’s books are taking over the adult ones. And many times I have picked up and purchased a children’s book because I wanted to read it.

What impresses me so much about modern children’s books is how diverse they are compared to when I was a kid in the 80s.

When I was a kid, I loved to read Trixie Belden mysteries, Enid Blyton adventures and Christopher Pike horror stories. While I still hold those books dear to my heart, I’m now excited to read books with a diverse cast of characters, like Australian middle-grade author Oliver Phommavanh and young adult author Alicia Tuckerman.

There are so many benefits to reading children’s novels, apart from the pure joy they give you.

You’ll get in touch with your child self

Remember that innocent wonder that engulfed you when you read children’s books as a kid? When you could be transported to far-away, magical places that didn’t seem unbelievable at all. Especially since you still believed in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy.

Now you can magically transport yourself back into your child-sized shoes when you pick up a children’s book.

Let your mind be immersed in a feel-good story. Believe that anything is possible. Go on an adventure that you know will end well.

Getting in touch with your child-self by reading children’s books is just as beneficial as a session of yoga.

You’ll learn to laugh more

Kid's books are so much more fun than adult books. They dare to go where no adult books go. Into the realm of fart monsters, giant robot zombie mermaids, and 130-story treehouses. (Those are all real books, by the way.)

Just when you think you’ve picked up a sensible children’s book, you’ll be thunderstruck by an explosive fart scene. Seriously, who wouldn’t find that hilarious?

Give yourself a break and pick up a children’s book. It’s cheaper than therapy, trust me.

You’ll be inspired to write

Reading children’s books has no doubt inspired me to write children’s books myself. I’ve also been inspired to write online articles about writing for children.

However, be warned that writing children’s books is just as difficult (if not more difficult) than writing for adults.

When I first started writing, I thought it would be a piece of cake. But children are clever. They can read through the lines. They know what they like (and what they don’t like) and aren’t afraid to say it.

The amount of research I’ve done to write books for children has been immense. Luckily, I love researching.

The joy you get when you inspire kids to enjoy what they read is priceless.

You’ll have fun with your own kids

A great benefit of reading children’s books is that you don’t have to do it alone. If you have kids or access to kids from relatives or friends, then get into the habit of reading with them.

Not only have I been able to enjoy reading with my children, but they also enjoy reading to me. This includes my two- and four-year-old boys who can’t read yet, but love telling me what’s happening in their picture books. I know they’re learning vital literacy skills, and they’re having fun while they’re doing it. It’s a win-win.

My kids and I go one step further and use the children’s book we read to make up our own stories.

Sometimes my nine-year-old will draw pictures and my four-year-old will come up with an alternate ending, which continues into a completely new story. And of course, there is always an explosive fart scene with accompanying illustrations.

You’re never too old to read a children’s book

Reading children’s books is the key to maintaining an active imagination. They allow you to see the magical possibilities in your world and they keep you young.

Plus, if you’ve got kids or grandkids, they are an excellent way to bond with them through magical stories.

I know I’ll keep reading children’s books for as long as I have the ability to read. Because we all have a kid inside of us and we need to let it shine through.

Sometimes our lives can be overwhelming and it’s nice to sit back with a children’s book and relax. Let that imagination run free and see where the story takes you.