About this quote

How you choose a child's reading says something about how much you expect from them. If you wouldn't sit down with a book yourself, it probably underestimates their taste or treats them like a placeholder. Do the simple work of reading or skimming what you hand over, and pay attention to whether it sparks real questions. Model the habits you want to see instead of handing over something you wouldn't bother with.

When to use it

• At bedtime with my five-year-old, I pick a picture book I actually enjoy so I stay present and can ask better questions.
• In my first-grade classroom, I won't put books on the shelf that I wouldn't read myself; the kids deserve honest choices.
• When I tutor a teen, I recommend novels I like too, then our discussions feel honest and richer.
• As the public librarian planning the summer display, I test-read picks so I can steer kids to books I know are worth their time.