Reading is an important part of a child’s development. It develops vocabulary, grammar, and imagination, among other skills. But how can you tell if a child understands what they’re reading? Asking questions about the books they read is a great way to gauge comprehension and start a discussion about the story.
33 Questions you can ask kids about books:
- What was your favorite part of the book?
- Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?
- How do the characters change, grow, or develop throughout the story?
- Where does the story take place?
- What happens at the beginning, middle, and end of the story?
- Was there anything you didn’t like about the book?
- Was there anything you liked about the book?
- Did you like the ending of the book? Why or why not?
- What would you have done differently if you were one of the characters in the book?
- What lessons did you learn from the book?
- Can you tell me about a time when you experienced something similar to what happened in the book?
- What did you think of the author’s writing style?
- Was there anything you didn’t understand in the book? Can I help you explain it?
- What connections can you make between this book and other things you’ve read or experienced?
- If the book were made into a movie, who would you want to play your favorite character?
- What scenes from the book would you like to see in the movie?
- Have you read other books that are similar to this book? How are they similar/different?
- If you could ask the author any question, what would it be? And why?
- What feelings did this book evoke in you? At what points in the story did you feel them most strongly?
- What do you think the author’s purpose was in writing this book? Did they achieve it? How do you know?
- Do you think the book was realistic or fictional?
- Do you think you would like to read more books by this author?
- What did you like best about the illustrations in this book? Were there any that particularly stuck out in your mind or were funny to you?
- Were there any words in the book that you didn’t know before you read it? Can you look them up and tell me what they mean?
- How would you describe the plot of the book to someone who hasn’t read it yet?
- What themes do you think are present in the book?
- Was there anything left unresolved at the end of the story that you’d like to know more about?
- What scenes in the book particularly stuck in your mind and why?
- If this book was made into a sequel, what do you think would happen next?
- Do any events or characters in this story remind you of anything or anyone in real life?
- How would you rate this book with five out of five stars?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
- Do you think this book would be a good gift for someone else? Who would you give it to and why?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you engage children in storytelling?
A fun way to get kids excited about storytelling is to use puppets. You can make simple puppets out of paper bags or even just your hands. Another way to get kids involved is to let them make up their own stories. This can be as simple as giving them some ideas and then seeing what they come up with.
What is a book discussion strategy?
Book discussion strategy is a technique that promotes comprehension and critical thinking while reading. It encourages students to think about a book beyond what they can understand by just reading the text. A book discussion strategy typically involves breaking a book into smaller groups or pairs, followed by a series of questions that help analyze the text.
Why should kids read books?
Reading books is important for kids because it helps improve their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. It also helps them learn about new topics and discover other worlds. Reading books can also be enjoyable and entertaining.
Conclusion
Asking questions about books can be a great way to start a conversation with kids about their reading comprehension and their thoughts and feelings about what they’re reading. The next time your child finishes reading a book, ask them some of these questions and see what they have to say!
