Learning to read is one of the most important things your child will ever do. Story time is the backbone of any successful day in a child’s early development, and as parents, it is our duty to engage our kids with reading as much as we can.

However, in today’s fast-paced, technologically-advanced society, enticing a child to sit down and read a book is probably a more difficult task than it’s ever been before. Amidst all the phones and tablets and laptops and video games, how can we make reading exciting for them?

For me, personalized books have been a Godsend. These are story or learning books personalized with your child’s name, and often a photo, making them immediately stand out from all the other books on the shelf. Many personalized books, like the ones available here, feature the child’s name not just in the text, but also in the pictures and illustrations. In this post, I look at three reasons why personalized books are a great way to make your child fall in love with reading!

1. Making Your Child Centre of Attention

We all know that most young children love nothing more than being the centre of attention all the time. Personalized books do a great job of accomplishing that, by putting them front and centre.

We’ve all been in the situation when our children ask to hear a story, and we know what they want is to hear some version of the classic “Once upon a time, there was a very special girl named Sarah” (or whatever their name may be of course!) Kids love imagining themselves as princesses, or brave knights – often a real test of our imagination! But with a personalized storybook, all the hard work is done for you, as they tell classic fairytale stories with your child as the star of the show.

Personalized books can also be extremely effective for the less confident child. Placing them in the story as the hero can instill them with pride and self-assurance as they read or listen to a story in which they accomplish incredible feats and save the day! In their personalized stories, they can do anything, and this knowledge can transfer over to their own lives.

Finally, a personalized book can be a really simple way to remind a struggling child just how loved they are. Maybe they’re having a hard time at school, or perhaps a younger sibling has just been born, stealing the limelight that was previously exclusive to them! In any case, their unique personalized book, focused completely on them, will surely let them know that whatever changes may happen, they’re still very special, and always will be.

2. Engaging Reluctant Readers

Numerous studies have shown how a child’s early reading ability can have a direct correlation to their overall academic performance through high school, as well as their lifelong earning potential. With this in mind, many experts recommend beginning reading to your baby as soon as he or she is born!

Despite the obvious benefits of reading, some children, try as we might, are simply not interested in it. Of course, we can’t just give up – rather, it’s our job to make reading exciting for them in some way.

Personalized books are better positioned to entice reluctant readers, particularly those who are most stimulated visually. Many personalized books feature the child’s name not just in the text, but also in the pictures and illustrations. Sometimes they are even hidden, creating a fun game for the child to try and find them!

Personalization creates a different element to reading books, making them seem more fresh and interesting than the books at school or the library.

3. A Fresh Take on Old Favorites

All kids love Disney, right? Personalized Disney books have taken off massively over the past few years. Some simply can’t get enough of Moana, Olaf, Dory and Buzz Lightyear, and digest as much of these characters and stories as their brains allow, in a variety of forms. Other children, especially in this era of the internet and streaming services, prefer to stick to just watching on TV. To them, a storybook can’t compete with a motion picture. Unless…

Personalized books offer a fresh take on your child’s favorite stories – instead of just retelling the tale on paper, they place your child right into the heart of the story, offering them the unique opportunity to visit Wonderland, the Hundred Acre Wood, Monstropolis or Pride Rock in a way they never have before.

Personalized books are not just limited to Disney though! With many companies offering a diverse range, you can be sure that whatever their preference, their favorite characters are waiting for them to join in and come along for the ride.