Creative Ways to Rebuild Your Reading Rhythm This August
By Ellen Westbrook | Engaging Reluctant Readers

(CLICK FOR A NOTE FROM KRISTEN)

I’ve known Ellen for at least 3-4 years. She has been a business bestie throughout the time that I was growing my virtual assistance business and trying to figure out an outlet that would allow me to share my passions. She was one of the first people I told about my homeschool blog and has been supportive from the beginning. Although she’s not a homeschool mom, she has a lot of knowledge and ideas that will help all parents, homeschooling or otherwise, help their children develop a love of reading… or, at minimum, lighten some of the struggle that you may be feeling. I’m excited that she’s our first (non-related) guest blogger!

Somehow it’s already August, and if you’re anything like me, summer has been a bit of a blur.

Maybe your family started with big reading plans–library hauls, cozy read-alouds, maybe even a cute little book tracker on the fridge.

And now?

You’re not exactly sure where that went. Your kiddo hasn’t touched a book in a week (or three). And every time you suggest reading, you’re met with a blank stare, a groan, or the sudden need for a snack.

Here’s the thing: That doesn’t mean you messed up. And it definitely doesn’t mean your child isn’t a reader.

It just means it’s time for a reset.

The good news? It’s not too late. In fact, this little window—between full-blown summer mode and the slow slide back into routines—is the perfect time to reignite your reading rhythm. No guilt, no pressure, just small shifts that help stories feel like fun again.

When Kristen and I chatted about this post, we wanted it to feel like a deep breath for families easing back into reading after a full summer.

Let’s make this reset as easy (and enjoyable) as possible.

Because August isn’t just the end of summer—it’s a bridge.

You’re not in full school mode yet, but the energy is shifting. This season isn’t about getting it all right—it’s about building momentum.

Now’s the perfect time to focus on:

• Reading moments that feel fun and light (laughing over a silly book totally counts!)
• Simple ways to reconnect (like reading aloud together or flipping through a fact book)
• Tiny goals (just one page, one book, or one moment)

Because every playful reading moment now lays the groundwork for a smoother fall later.

And if your child hasn’t read much (or at all) this summer? That’s okay.

There’s still time to reconnect—and no rule that says it has to be hard.

Step 1: Reconnect Before You Restart Your Reading Rhythm

Now that we’ve taken a breath, let’s talk about where to begin.

Before you jump back into goals or dust off your reading plans, ask yourself this:

“How does reading feel in our home right now?”

If the vibe has gotten a little stale, stressful, or just flat-out forgotten, you’re not alone.

Reading slumps happen, even in the most book-loving households. Especially when the sun’s out, routines are looser, and the energy is all over the place.

The best way to reset your reading rhythm isn’t to double down on expectations, it’s to reconnect with why we read in the first place.

Stories have a way of sneaking into the cracks of our day, right when we need them. They can make us laugh, help us slow down, spark wild questions, or just give us a cozy excuse to snuggle up and not do the dishes.

So instead of stressing about how many books your child “should” be reading, start by bringing some of that connection back. One tiny spark is all you need.

Step 2: Try One Simple Reading Swap to Make It Fun Again

If reading in your house has turned into groans, avoidance, or “I’ll do it later,” you’re not doing anything wrong. It’s just time for a little reset–for you and your reader.

Not a full overhaul. Not a whole new plan. Just one small shift to help things feel fresh and fun again.

Here are a few easy, zero-prep swaps that can help:

• Change the setting: Swap the couch for a reading picnic outside or inside a blanket fort.
• Change the format: Let them pick a graphic novel or an audiobook instead of a traditional chapter book.
• Change the vibe: Add a snack, a flashlight, a silly voice for one or all of the characters. Make it playful again.

My boys are always more willing to read when it doesn’t feel like reading time. We’ve read in bathtubs (dry!), under tables, even while upside-down on the couch (although I recommend shorter reads for this one). It doesn’t matter what it looks like, as long as it helps them lean back in.

Step 3: Build a Flexible Reading Rhythm for Your Homeschool Day

You may have already picked up on the fact that I’m not a big fan of rigid routines when it comes to reading–and I’m guessing, as a homeschool family, you might not be either.

That’s why I love the idea of reading rhythms instead. Rhythms are flexible. They follow your energy, and they can change with the season, the mood, or the moment.

You don’t need a perfectly timed “reading block” to make it happen. What you do need are moments.

Little pockets of time that already exist in your day where books can slide right in:

• A short story at breakfast
• An audiobook in the car or during lunch prep
• A funny book after dinner instead of screen time
• A read-aloud before bed

The goal isn’t to read more–it’s to let books slip into your day in small ways, until they naturally become part of your rhythm again.

Think of them as reading snacks, instead of full meals. Five minutes here and there can make a huge difference.

Step 4:  Make Books More Visible and Inviting for Reluctant Readers   

If you’re constantly nudging your kid to “go read something,” pause and look around your space.

Are books hidden away on a high shelf? Cramped in a bin? Competing with a screen?

Screens aren’t the enemy–but they’re everywhere. And compared to a book stashed in the corner, they’re a whole lot easier to say yes to.

Here’s one of the simplest reading resets that often gets overlooked:

Make the books easier to access.

Not just physically–but emotionally too.

Physically, think about where your child hangs out the most, and put books there. Not crammed on a high shelf, but face-out in a basket or on floating shelves by their favorite chair. 

This is where my 5B’s strategy comes in handy–five everyday spots that can quietly invite your child to read:

• The breakfast table
• The bathroom
• The bedroom
• The backseat
• Baskets, bins, and bookshelves all over the house 

Sprinkle books into these spaces can turn regular parts of your day into easy, low-pressure reading opportunities.

Emotionally, take a look at the types of books you’re offering. Are they:

• Books your child picked out or feels connected to?
• Books that feel fun, silly, or familiar right now?
• Books that match their current energy level or interests?

This might mean letting go of that perfectly curated summer reading list and handing your child a fart joke book instead–and that’s okay.

Follow their curiosity. When reading feels like an invitation instead of something they have to do, kids are way more likely to say yes.

Step 5: Rethink What Counts as Reading (Spoiler: It All Counts)

One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve made in our home is loosening the definition of what “counts” as reading.

It all counts.

Reading doesn’t have to be quiet, focused, or look anything like a lesson.

In fact, the sillier, more unexpected, and more playful it is–the more likely it is to stick.

So…

• Reading a Pokémon handbook in the car
• Listening to an audiobooks while playing Legos
• Reading the same Elephant & Piggie book for the 27th time

If it keeps them curious, laughing, or leaning in–it counts.

When you remove the pressure to perform, reading becomes a place to play again–and that’s when the reading magic really happens, almost without trying.

Step 6: Use Reading Prompts to Reboot Your Rhythm Without Pressure

If your child needs a little structure–but not a full-blown plan–try using a playful prompt to get things going.

Something like:

• Grab a book and read outside today
• Cuddle up with your favorite stuffed animal and read them a story
• Let’s build a fort and read inside with flashlights

These little invitations can make reading feel like an adventure instead of an obligation.

Once they say yes to one prompt, the next one feels even easier.

Grab the Free Reading Bucket List Bundle

If you’re looking for more fun ideas to kickstart your reading reset, grab my free Reading Bucket List Bundle.

It’s packed with 164 mix-and-match prompts that help your child explore what, where, and how to read–without pressure. From silly ideas like “read upside down” to cozy ones like “read while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate,” it’s the perfect way to bring play back into your reading life.

Whether you’re still in full summer mode or starting to ease into a fall routine, this bundle gives you a simple, flexible way to keep reading fun and exciting.

👉 Download the Reading Bucket List Bundle here

Wrap-Up: You’re Not Behind–You’re Just in the Middle of Your Reading Journey

This reset isn’t about making up for lost time. It’s about starting where you are.

So if reading has fallen off your radar, that’s okay.

If your child hasn’t picked up a book in weeks, that’s okay too.

There’s still time to reconnect.

One silly prompt, one picture book, one cozy moment snuggled on the couch.

That’s all it takes to get back into a reading rhythm.

You’ve got this!

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Interview with Ellen Westbrook

Can you share a little about yourself and the work you do for families?

I’m a literacy coach and reading advocate, but also a recovering reluctant reader myself. For over 20 years, I avoided books unless I had to—and then something shifted after my oldest son, JD, was born. Those early bedtime read-alouds helped me fall back in love with reading, long before I realized I’d be helping him through his own “I hate reading” phase years later. Now, with both of my boys, JD and Hunter, I get a daily reminder that every child’s reading journey looks different. I help busy moms of reluctant or struggling readers create book-friendly homes, reframe reading resistance, and make reading feel like something their kids want to do, not something they have to do.

What inspired you to do the work you do, helping reluctant and struggling readers?

Honestly, it’s because I’ve stood in both pairs of shoes—the reluctant reader and the parent watching it happen. I know how discouraging it feels when a child starts pulling away from books, and how easy it is to fall into the trap of pushing harder. I also know what happens when parents give up and accept “they’re just not a reader.”

But I’ve seen the difference when reading is approached with curiosity and connection instead of pressure. My own journey—falling back in love with books when JD was a baby, then helping him (and now Hunter) through their own ups and downs—showed me this work isn’t just about skills. It’s about protecting a child’s relationship with reading. That’s what drives everything I do.

One of my favorite quotes is from Kate DiCamillo: “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered as a gift.” I believe, with every fiber of my being, that reading can be that gift for every child—it’s just a matter of finding the right way in.

Your blog shares several “reset” ideas for when reading has fallen off track. Which one do you personally lean on most when your own kids are in a slump?

For JD, it’s 100% about making it social. Sure, he’ll read on his own every once in a while when he finds just the right book to pull him in—but most of the time, our shared reading time before bed is the magic ingredient. Over the past several months, we’ve worked our way through the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and are now on book four of five in the Heroes of Olympus series, which continues Percy’s adventures.

And here’s a tip I didn’t include in the blog: find a series they love. It’s a built-in “yes” for the next book without having to think about it.

For Hunter, it’s a completely different story. He’s never been one to sit still for long story times, so the 5B’s have been our secret weapon. Having books strategically placed around the house means he can grab one whenever inspiration strikes—no pressure, just easy access.

From what I’ve seen, both of these approaches work beautifully in a homeschool setting—because they can adapt to a family’s unique daily rhythm. That might be a bedtime read-aloud, a mid-morning snack break, or a cozy corner to retreat to after a tough lesson. It’s all about finding the moments that fit naturally into the day.

If your audience would like to dive deeper into creating a reader-friendly home using the 5Bs, I cover it in detail in my Create the Invitation to Read Mini Course—and as a thank-you for letting me share my passion with your community, they can take 20% off with the code INOURHOMESCHOOL at https://bit.ly/CTITRminicourse.

What advice would you give to a parent who feels like they’ve “messed up” their child’s reading life?

First—take a deep breath. You haven’t broken anything. Reading relationships aren’t linear, and one off-season doesn’t undo the good you’ve built. The reset is less about starting over and more about finding a fresh doorway back in. Start small, make it enjoyable, and remember that progress often looks like tiny sparks before it becomes a steady flame again.

Where can readers connect with you and find more of your resources?

I’d love to stay connected!

• Come hang out or DM me on Instagram—I share our real, messy, book-filled moments, along with what’s actually working in our home right now, and I always love a good chat.
• Tune into the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast for weekly, real-life tips you can put into action right away.
• Browse the Engaging Reluctant Readers Blog for simple, low-pressure strategies to help your kids (and you!) enjoy reading more.
• Download your free Reading Bucket List Bundle and make reading feel fresh and fun again—perfect for family read-alouds or independent reading time.

Join my free Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe on Facebook to connect with other moms who understand the reading struggles and are ready to share support and ideas.

Thank you so much for your time! And thanks for joining us In Our Homeschool!

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