Engaging Reluctant Readers
Tired of the nightly reading battles? Struggling to get your child to open a book because they refuse to read at all costs? Maybe they can read but just don’t want to, or perhaps they struggle with the basics, making reading feel frustrating and exhausting. Or maybe books just can’t compete with screens, sports, or other distractions. No matter the reason, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not failing as a parent.
Welcome to Engaging Reluctant Readers—the podcast for book-loving moms raising reluctant readers. Hosted by Ellen Westbrook, a Literacy Coach (and recovering reluctant reader herself!), this show is here to help you transform your child’s reading journey from dread to must-be read and rediscover family reading fun along the way.
As a mom of two high-energy boys with a degree in Elementary Education, Ellen gets it—the frustration, the worry, and the endless search for ways to make books click for your child. She’s here to bridge the gap between your love of reading and your kiddo’s resistance, helping you understand why they struggle and, more importantly, what actually works.
You won’t find complicated reading strategies or one-size-fits-all advice here. Instead, Ellen shares real-life strategies that fit into your busy days and make reading feel fun instead of forced. From creative ways to build stamina, confidence, and reading skills to strategies that make books more engaging and spark a genuine love of reading, every episode is designed to help you make real progress—without the fights, tears, or frustration.
Each episode is under 30 minutes, packed with actionable tips, and released every Thursday—so you can get quick wins without adding more to your already-full plate.
Because reading should feel fun, not like a chore—and every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode, and let’s rediscover family reading fun—together!
Engaging Reluctant Readers
Book Rotation Tips: How to Keep Kids Excited About Reading Without Buying More Books
Are your child’s books collecting dust? Do they insist there’s “nothing to read” even though your shelves are full? You’re not alone—and the solution doesn’t mean buying more books! With a simple book rotation system, you can make your home library feel fresh, fun, and engaging all over again.
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, host Ellen Westbrook shares how to organize, rotate, and display books in a way that keeps kids curious and excited about reading. Whether you're short on space, working with a tight budget, or simply trying to reduce reading resistance, this episode is packed with practical ideas to reinspire reluctant readers.
What You’ll Learn:
✔ Why rotating books prevents boredom and reduces overwhelm
✔ How to choose a rotation schedule that fits your family (monthly, seasonal, holiday-themed)
✔ Simple book storage and display tips that make books more inviting
✔ Creative ways to pair books with real-life activities
✔ Themed rotation ideas (like dinosaurs, kindness, bedtime, and more!)
✔ Budget-friendly ways to refresh your collection using libraries, swaps, and thrift finds
⏳ Key Episode Highlights (Shortened):
[00:00:54] Why book rotation reduces overwhelm and boredom
[00:01:27] How books feel “new” again with simple swaps
[00:02:09] Choosing a rotation schedule that fits your family
[00:03:09] Smart storage tips for organized book rotations
[00:04:11] Easy ways to make books more visually appealing
[00:05:19] Pairing books with themed activities
[00:06:03] Rotation theme ideas: seasons, kindness, space & more
[00:07:48] Budget-friendly ways to refresh your library
[00:09:32] Start small with one shelf or bin
[00:10:14] Sneak peek at next week’s episode
📖 Prefer to Read? Check out the full blog post here: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/04/17/how-to-rotate-books-for-kids/
📺 Prefer to Watch? Catch the video version here: https://youtu.be/IN1Db9jAhsA
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your 63 Theme Ideas list to kickstart your book rotation journey with fun, creative topics that make planning easy and engaging!
📥 Get it here → bit.ly/63bookthemes
🎧Love the podcast? Hit the 5⭐to leave a rating & review!
It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
Resources:
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✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!
[00:00:00] Welcome to the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast. I'm Ellen Westbrook, your host and Recovering Reluctant Reader. Together, we'll tackle reading roadblocks with personalized strategies and out of the box ideas, all while rediscovering the joy of family reading fun. Ready to transform your child's view of reading from dread to must be read?
[00:00:18] Let's dive into today's episode.
[00:00:25] Just a heads up, I wanted to let you know that each episode comes with a full blog post packed with extra tips and resources, so just check the episode description below for the link.
[00:00:34] Do you have books in your home that just seem to sit there, they're collecting dust, clearly untouched, and definitely unread? Or maybe your kiddos started complaining that there's nothing to read, even though you know your home library is stocked full of amazing books. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
[00:00:49] But here's the good news. There's a way to make reading feel fresh, fun, and new again, without buying a single extra book. A simple book rotation can be just the ticket.
[00:00:58] In today's episode, we're diving [00:01:00] into how you can use a book rotation to keep your kiddos interest piqued. I'll teach you how you can use seasons, themes, and holidays to breathe new life into your home library, make book selection feel less overwhelming and spark your child's curiosity and love of reading.
[00:01:13] By the end of this episode, you'll have actionable tips to organize a rotation system that works for your family. And bonus, I'll share ways to make the whole process fun for your kids, so they're just as excited as you are to rediscover those stories they've been ignoring.
[00:01:26] Let's get started.
[00:01:28] First, let's talk about why rotating books work so well. If you've never tried it, you might wonder, What's the big deal about moving books around? But trust me, it's a game changer. Book rotation can reduce overwhelm. Have you ever walked into a store with so many options that suddenly you can't decide on anything?
[00:01:43] That's exactly what happens to your kids when they're faced with a crowded bookshelf. Decision fatigue is 100 percent real. By limiting the number of books on display, you make it easier for your kid to focus. They can actually see the covers or flip through a few options instead of feeling like they're digging through an endless pile to find something good.
[00:02:01] And here's where the real magic happens. When books disappear for a little while and then come back, they feel new again. Kids love that sense of rediscovery. Whether it's an old favorite that they haven't seen in a while, or something they didn't care about before, bringing it back into rotation can spark a whole new level of excitement.
[00:02:17] Finally, rotating books lets you connect stories to what's happening in your child's world. Seasonal or themed rotations like holiday books in December or books about baby animals in the spring align with their experiences and interests in the moment. That connection makes reading feel relevant and fun.
[00:02:32] For example, snuggling up with a snow themed book on a chilly winter day or diving into a gardening story as flowers begin blooming all around them helps create a deeper bond with the books and the season.
[00:02:43] So how do you create a book rotation that works for your family? And that's the key. It has to work for your family. It doesn't need to be Pinterest perfect. If you're constantly chasing perfection, you'll end up frustrated and you might not even start. The best system is one that's realistic, manageable, and fits into your life.
[00:03:00] First things first, you need to choose a schedule.
[00:03:03] You need one that feels doable.
[00:03:05] Now, in a dream world, I would love to see books rotated monthly. Weekly or bi-weekly is way too frequent unless you're only focusing on one small area. But I know for some of you, the idea of rotating books monthly might still feel a bit overwhelming. If that's the case, I want you to consider a seasonal rotation, every three or four months, or even just swapping out books for major holidays to start.
[00:03:26] Another option is you can focus on a set number of themes or topics that your child already loves and rotate based on that. For example, If your kiddo is into dinosaurs, space, animals, fantasy, history, friendship and love, that's six topics. You could rotate every two months to cover all six across the year.
[00:03:43] Once you've picked a schedule, it's time to figure out storage. Where will you keep the books that are on break? Boxes? Tote bags? Plastic containers? Whatever works for you. The more books you have, the more storage space you'll need, so be sure to keep it organized. Label your containers by theme, season, or topic before tucking them away so you can easily find what you need when it's time to switch things up.
[00:04:04] If space is tight, here's a simpler option. Just rotate books between the different areas of your home. Remember in Episode 2 when I talked about spreading books around the house? You could swap books in the living room with the ones in the playroom. Chances are your kiddo has a preference for where they like to read and the books in the other room probably aren't getting a whole lot of face time, so they'll still feel fresh and fun.
[00:04:25] Make a mental note if you start to notice any patterns or habits where your child likes to read most, or if they switch rooms to follow the books that they were enjoying. This is a good indicator of the ones that are really catching their interest.
[00:04:36] Finally, don't feel like you need to rotate every single book in your house. Start small. Focus in one area like your child's book nook and swap out just a few books at a time.
[00:04:45] Now that you have a plan in place, let's make things exciting for your kids.
[00:04:49] Getting your kids involved in the process can make a world of difference. Let them help decide which books to rotate out first and what theme to focus on next. When kids feel like they have a say, it helps them feel more in control of their reading journey, and that excitement can be contagious.
[00:05:02] Next, think about how you'll display the books you're leaving out.
[00:05:04] The more enticing you can make them, the better. If you have any floating shelves or canvas sling bookshelves, use them to showcase book covers. Book covers are designed to draw readers in, so let them do the work. If you're working with a basket, make sure the books are standing up, not stacked inside.
[00:05:20] This will make it easier for your kiddo to thumb through while still getting the benefit of seeing the covers. Now, if you have a small bookcase, don't fill it completely. Use a bookend to keep most of the books in place, but flip one on each shelf to face out, or place a couple standing up on top to catch their eye. Even if you aren't switching out all the books on a regular basis, you can always change up the ones being featured.
[00:05:40] You can add small props or decorations to match a theme. A beach bucket and some seashells for an ocean theme rotation or some dinosaur decals on the wall for a dino theme. It's not a must, but it's a fun option if you're feeling creative
[00:05:53] And here's a pro tip. Pair a couple of books with activities to make the rotation feel extra special.
[00:05:58] For example, if you're stuck in a chilly winter, like we are here in North Carolina, Which I might add has been unseasonably cold. Grab a snow themed book. Snuggle up under a blanket and sip some hot chocolate while you read with your kiddo.
[00:06:09] Or, if you're ready to shake off the cold and get excited for spring, plant some flowers or herbs with your child, and then read a garden themed book. Added bonus if the book tells you how best to care for them, or when to watch for the flowers to bloom. Or when to harvest the herbs, so you can continue caring for them together.
[00:06:24] If your kiddo loves dinosaurs, like my boys, you might want to consider setting up a mini dig site with sand or a sensory bin. Then read about paleontologists or other dino themed books. These kinds of pairings can create memories and deepen the connection to the stories.
[00:06:37] Now, if you're not sure where to start, don't worry. I've got you covered. Let's talk about some fun ideas to spark your creativity when setting up your book rotation.
[00:06:45] If you're going for a seasonal rotation, think about what's happening around you during that time of year. Winter is perfect for a cozy read. Books about snow, animals that hibernate, or holiday themed stories.
[00:06:55] Picture yourself curling up under a blanket with your kid and watching the snow fall outside. Typically, here in North Carolina, we're hopelessly wishing for snow, but this year we've had enough time out of school for snow and ice that I'm ready for spring.
[00:07:08] Speaking of spring, you can bring in books about flowers, gardening, baby animals, weather and life cycles. Think caterpillars turning into butterflies. There's something magical about pairing books with what your kids are seeing in the world around them.
[00:07:20] When summer rolls around, stock your shelves or baskets with books about the beach, the ocean, camping, or exciting travel destinations. You can even include stories about places you're planning to visit, or places they dream about going someday.
[00:07:33] And fall, of course, is a fantastic time for back to school books. Reading stories about characters going back to school can make the transition a little easier, especially if your kiddo's dreading it. You can also include spooky stories to gear up for Halloween, or books about gratitude to set the mood for Thanksgiving.
[00:07:48] If seasons aren't your thing and you're looking to swap things out based on a topic or theme, some of my personal favorites include Outer Space, Superheroes, Fairy Tales, Dinosaurs, Dragons, Unicorns, and books about kindness or love. Oh, and don't forget about bedtime stories. Those are perfect for rotating in the bedroom.
[00:08:07] Need even more ideas? Head on over to the blog at engagingreluctantreaders.com where I've got even more inspiration to help get you started.
[00:08:14] Now, if you're worried that creating a rotation system means spending a small fortune on books, let me reassure you, it doesn't have to cost a lot or anything at all to get started.
[00:08:23] There are plenty of ways to create a fun and engaging rotation system without breaking the bank.
[00:08:27] First up, let's talk about libraries. Libraries are an absolute goldmine for seasonal and themed books. You can borrow what you need for your current rotation and swap them out when you're ready for something new. It's cost effective and you won't have to worry about finding storage space for more books in your home.
[00:08:42] Pro tip, keep all the library books in one place though, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle so it's easy to return when the time comes. The last thing you want is to get hit with late fees or fines to replace a book.
[00:08:53] Most libraries nowadays let you renew your books online so you can keep them checked out for a few more weeks without even having to swing back by to get them scanned again.
[00:09:01] If you want to add to your home library without spending too much, check out thrift stores, secondhand shops, Facebook Marketplace, or even yard sales. You would be amazed at the treasures you can find at a fraction of the price. If you're lucky, you might even be able to trade some books in that your kids have grown out of for some credit at the thrift stores or secondhand shops.
[00:09:19] Another great option is organizing book swaps with other families in your neighborhood. You can trade books that your kid hasn't shown any interest in. Maybe they'll find themselves in the little hands of another child who will appreciate them, and you'll get new to you books in return. Not only does this save money, but it clears up shelf space for the next rotation.
[00:09:36] And here's a tip I really love to share. Look for books with multiple short stories. They're like hitting the jackpot because you get so much variety in just one book. For example, a collection of fairy tales or bedtime stories can keep things fresh without needing to buy a bunch of separate titles.
[00:09:52] Think "Disney's 5-Minute Princess Stories" or "5-Minute Marvel Stories". The point is, creating a rotation system doesn't have to be expensive. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can keep your home library exciting and engaging for your kids without stretching your budget.
[00:10:06] Creating a book rotation doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming.
[00:10:10] It's about keeping reading fresh and fun for your kids without overwhelming yourself in the process. Start small, maybe with one shelf or bin, and adjust as you go. The best system is the one that works for your family.
[00:10:22] The real magic happens when books feel exciting again, whether it's rediscovering an old favorite or diving into a theme that fits the season.
[00:10:28] It's not about perfection. It's about making the books inviting and giving your kids the chance to connect with stories in a way that feels new and engaging.
[00:10:36] So pick a theme or a season to start and set a rotation schedule that feels doable and see where it takes you. You're not just organizing books.
[00:10:44] You're creating a home where reading feels like an adventure waiting to happen.
[00:10:48] I don't know about you, but we have a spring break coming up soon, and it's got me thinking about how easy it is for reading to take a back seat. I mean, kids are out of school, and the focus is often on fun, travel, and making memories. But here's the thing, reading doesn't have to get left behind.
[00:11:02] In the next episode, I'll share simple, low pressure ways to keep reading a natural and exciting part of your school break plans. Whether you're staying home, hitting the road, or just taking it easy, I've got tips to make sure reading stays fun, not like schoolwork. Can't wait to share these ideas with you. Join me next week!
[00:11:18] Looking for more details? There's a full blog post with extra tips and resources for each episode. You'll find the link for this week's episode in the description.
[00:11:24] Thanks so much for tuning into today's episode. If you're loving the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast, I'd love it if you could leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, so these strategies can be shared to take more kiddos from dread to must-be read.
[00:11:37] Are you ready to spark some reading inspiration?
[00:11:39] Head on over to bit.ly/RBLBundle to get your free Reading Bucket List Bundle. With 164 inspiring ideas, you can give your child the power to choose where, what, and how they embark on their reading adventures and embrace reading on their own terms. No more pulling teeth, just excitement and a genuine love for stories anytime, anywhere.
[00:12:02] By snagging your bundle, you'll stay in the reading groove and never miss out on upcoming episodes. Until next time, this is Ellen Westbrook wishing you, happy reading!