Books That Will Educate and Engage Your Kids (8-12 year edition)

When talking about the habit of reading, we always see it as part of coursework, and not as a potential hobby for our kids. In the age of TikTok, Instagram and more, short-form content is all the rage that is seriously hampering your child’s attention span. We need to be making conscious efforts on our part as parents and guardians to offset the overwhelming effects of social media and the internet on our kids, and help divert and lengthen their attention span at a young age. Reading books and putting your fingers through paper, and the thrill of turning a page to unravel the mystery is something that is truly delightful and every child should be in a position to experience that joy. Reading and recollecting is a great exercise for kids as it helps them reach certain physiological milestones and helps sharpen their brain at a young age. Furthermore, a child’s innocence is one of the purest things in the world, and a book preserves that through imaginative scenarios and escapades that truly take your child through different worlds from the comfort of their own home.

Always wondering how to make your little one fall in love with books? These are some of our favourite picks and we promise they will keep your kids hooked!

1. The Roald Dahl Series -
   
   Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the BFG.. these are some of the most iconic literary characters in history- all crafted by the maestro, Roald Dahl. The peculiar quality of Roald Dahl’s books that keeps it a class apart is the unwavering effort to keep a child’s imagination alive! When a child starts to read a Roald Dahl book, they are not only delighted to be in a space that nurtures their emotion, but also helps them grow as people. In the heart of every Roald Dahl book, there is an endearing message of kindness, bravery and empathy that is so inextricably woven with the storyline that we guarantee that your child will begin to look at life that way. Whether it is the everlasting courage of the orphan James, in James and the Giant Peach, the wonder girl Matilda ignored by her parents, the urchin Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- Roald Dahl treats underdogs with a delightful uplifting storyline that will surely keep your kids engaged! These are surely some of the best books to read as a kid!


2. The Famous Five and other Books by Enid Blyton -
   
   Exposing your kids to sleuth and detective series at a young age can be exciting. Letting them rattle their tiny minds to solve a mystery that is so dear to them can be exciting to watch. This is why consider introducing the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton! The books by this author have been celebrated for generations, and as parents you might want to share this childhood experience with your own as you grow. Blyton’s books have this unique quality of creating mysterious storylines that are particularly engaging and impactful for kids as they are heavily vested in their book, unable to keep them down. If you are trying to nurture a habit of reading in your kids, then surely introduce Blyton, which are some of the best books to read!


3. Indian Mythology and Beyond -
   
   As a young child, an appreciation for your culture and country’s vast literary history is important. Books have that engaging quality and material to help give your child access to important historical figures and icons that otherwise would not have seeked. There are various authors changing the game in the field of Indian Mythology- notably Devdutt Patnaik and Amish Tripathi. Once your child reaches the age of 12, which is early teenage hood, do introduce these books to them. Our favourites are definitely the Meluha trilogy which is set on the life of Shiva!