Having (prior to motherhood) been an avid reader, it would seem logical to count children’s books towards my reading challenge… or would it?
Counting children’s books would help me reach my reading goal each year, and I wouldn’t be nearly as likely to miss my goal (as I did this past year)… see: Goodreads Reading and Missing the Mark.
Counting Children’s Books a Personal Choice
Although some may choose to count children’s books (particularly ones they have read themselves or read aloud to children) towards their own personal reading goals, thus far I have not chosen to go that route.
Many factors went into that decision, such as:
- My reading level
- Prior reading history
- Number of books typically “consumed” per challenge
- Level of personal comfort counting books that are “easy” reads
With those factors stated, it’s easy to see how this would vary from reader to reader.
Other Considerations
On the flip side of the argument, clearly, is choosing to count children’s books towards your own personal goal – even if they were read aloud to children and not for personal benefit.
So what factors are there on this side?
- The books were personally read by the person undertaking the reading challenge
- Even if they are “easy” reads, there are no rules against this and you could always set your challenge number higher to make accommodations (if desired)
- Everyone’s reading level is different (this one deserves to be mentioned in both categories!)
- Finding time to read books is HARD when you have children at home… even if said books were designed for children!
As a mother and a reading lover, this is probably a decision I will have to actively make for years to come. Do I count the books I read to my children (or before allowing my children to read them)? Or do I ignore those books in my total reading goal count, and struggle to meet my personal reading goals?
And while, at the moment, I have decided AGAINST counting children’s books towards my personal reading goals, that could change. It might. Because while this is an interesting discussion, it remains a personal decision… and which is more embarrassing? Counting fifty children’s books towards my goal with five more advanced books, or missing my goal entirely, with nothing but five “countable” books read for an entire year?
I’ll leave you to ponder that one… and once you do, I’d love to read your thoughts. Feel free to post them in the comments below.
Christian, wife, “hybrid” mama, I run the site All Behind A Smile to help others like me.
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