How better to spend the fall months than inside by the fireplace with a warm cup of cider and a book in hand? The doctor and our team at Bagoff Dental Arts encourage you to warm up your mind this fall season with a few great books. It may be easy to put off reading when balancing a hectic schedule, but reading is vital to brain development at every age, and it is always a nice way to slow down together as a family.
This week, we thought we would ask what you or your child are reading this fall. Do you have any suggestions for must-read books this year? Out of ideas for great fall reads? Ask us for suggestions, and we would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian here in Livingston, New Jersey for some ideas.
A Few Fall Favorites by Age Group
If you are looking for a place to start, here are a few well-loved picks that tend to be popular around this time of year.
Little Ones (Ages 2-5)
“Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert, “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown, and “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams are cozy picture-book classics for fall evenings.
Early Readers (Ages 6-9)
“The Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne and “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White are favorites for kids building reading confidence.
Middle Grade and Teens (10+)
“Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan and “The Giver” by Lois Lowry are classroom and library staples that hold up well outside the classroom too.
For the Grown-Ups
Autumn is a great season for a cozy mystery, a memoir, or finally starting that book that has been sitting on the nightstand all summer.
Tips for Building a Cozy Fall Reading Habit
- Set a consistent time. Even fifteen minutes before bed can turn into a habit the whole family looks forward to.
- Let kids choose. A book a child picks out themselves is far more likely to get finished than one that was assigned.
- Make it a two-way conversation. Ask what happened in the story that day. It builds comprehension and gives you something to talk about at dinner.
- Pair it with something else you are already doing. Reading a chapter after brushing and flossing, for example, turns two good habits into one relaxing wind-down routine. We shared a few more ideas for keeping brushing time enjoyable in Make Tooth Brushing Fun.
A cozy reading routine is also a good excuse to check in on other family routines before the busy fall school schedule takes over, including everyone’s dental checkups. Our general family dentistry team is happy to help you get the whole household on a schedule that works before the holidays arrive.
Due for a fall checkup?
Get the whole family scheduled before the season gets busy.
Happy reading! Be sure to share your fall picks or your all-time favorites with us on our Facebook page. We always love hearing what our patients and their families are curled up with this season.
