boys can read book summaries and use the electronic catalog to search for books that they find interesting. In a nutshell, going to the library shouldn’t be something for rare or special occasions, but rather a regular activity that your entire family looks forward to doing together. Let Your Sons See You Read It’s important that your sons see you read. Dr. Margaret Merga, a literacy researcher, says that parents serve as role models for their sons: “Let them see you read for pleasure.” Dr. Furstenberg agrees: “Children often mimic what they see, not what they hear, and we, as parents, are our children’s mirrors.” Instead of reading only when you’re enjoying some quiet time alone, let your sons see you absorbed in reading a book or magazine. It’ll inspire them to read, too. Expand Your Idea of What Counts as Reading Finally, and importantly, don’t think that only “serious” literature counts as reading. Ms. Fenton says that “just because your son isn’t devouring thick fiction chapter books at all times doesn’t mean he isn’t reading quality material. For boys, consider many different forms of the written word as reading: comic books, manga, joke books, magazines, and even blogs.” Jon Scieszka, a children’s book author, agrees: “Let boys know that nonfiction reading is reading. Magazines, newspapers, websites, biographies, science books, comic books, and graphic novels are all reading material.” Accept newer, alternative forms of reading, like audiobooks. “If your son insists on having earbuds in his ears all the time,” says Ms. Fenton, “have him try an audiobook.” Why Reading Matters Helping boys fall in love with reading isn’t just about boosting test scores or finishing homework. It’s about giving them the tools to better understand themselves and the world around them. Reading builds empathy, curiosity, critical thinking, and imagination, all things boys need just as much as girls. In a world that often sends messages that boys should be tough, fast, or unemotional, books offer a safe space to explore big feelings, ask hard questions, and see the world through different perspectives. When we prioritize reading for boys, we’re not just shaping better students; we’re nurturing more thoughtful, confident, and connected young men. Bio: Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York, Brooklyn College. 114 Hawaii Parent SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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