If your last library trip ended in chaos—or you’ve been avoiding going at all—you’re not alone. Maybe your kids melted down before you made it past the first shelf, maybe you left with a random pile of books no one read, or maybe you can’t even find your library card.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares real-life stories, honest reflections, and practical strategies to help you reset how you think about library visits. From prepping before you go, to managing expectations while you’re there, to what to do once you’re home, you’ll learn how to make library trips smoother, more enjoyable, and actually useful for your family.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ Why library visits often feel harder than expected
☑️ Simple pre-visit prep steps that make all the difference
☑️ How to manage expectations (and meltdowns) while you’re there
☑️ Why “imperfect” visits still matter for your child’s reading journey
☑️ Small adjustments that make the next trip easier and more fun

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:00:25] Why library trips often feel harder than expected
[00:01:37] A real-life story: excitement, chaos, and missed opportunities
[00:02:26] Finding wins—even when visits don’t go as planned
[00:04:25] The biggest shift: prep before you even leave the house
[00:06:15] Managing expectations once you’re at the library
[00:07:14] Mid-visit resets, and handling meltdowns
[00:08:06] How librarians (and library tools) can make visits smoother
[00:09:37] What to do after a library trip to keep momentum going
[00:10:57] Why “imperfect” visits still count (and can spark connection)
[00:11:27] The Reset & Read Workshop Replay: rebuild reading rhythms at home
[00:12:05] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/09/18/use-library-with-kids/

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
 Grab your Mini Reading Goal Planner—a simple tool to help your child set a goal that actually fits their pace and interests (and maybe even builds a little momentum along the way).
 📥 Get it here → https://engagingreluctantreaders.m-pages.com/minigoalplanner 

🎟️ Reset & Read Workshop Replay
 If reading time has turned into a struggle, the Reset & Read Workshop replay will help you rebuild your family’s reading rhythm—without the guilt, the charts, or the resistance.

🎯 Grab the replay here → https://bit.ly/resetandread 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

Back-to-school season brings new routines, earlier mornings, and after-school exhaustion—and for many families, reading is the first thing to fall apart. If your child is suddenly resisting or your once-steady reading time feels impossible, you’re not alone.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares real-life stories of reading resistance, shifting schedules, and messy evenings to show you why reading feels harder during busy transitions—and why that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. With gentle reminders and a dose of encouragement, you’ll walk away ready to hit reset without guilt or pressure.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ Why resistance during busy seasons is normal—not a sign of failure

☑️ How after-school exhaustion impacts reading time

☑️ Simple ways to notice “sparks” even when routines fall apart

☑️ Why messy reading moments still count (sometimes even more)

☑️ How to let go of guilt and give yourself permission to reset

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:00:25] Why back-to-school shifts make reading feel harder than it should

[00:02:05] Afterschool restraint collapse explained (and why kids resist)

[00:03:12] Finding a rhythm that works with your family’s schedule

[00:05:00] When resistance shows up suddenly—and how to respond

[00:06:30] Why resistance is a signal, not laziness

[00:08:30] Wins worth celebrating (even when expectations fall short)

[00:10:00] The guilt spiral parents face when reading doesn’t go as planned

[00:12:07] What you really need: flexibility, kindness, and a reset

[00:13:11] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

[00:13:46] Reset & Read Workshop

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/09/11/back-to-school-reading-struggles/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/sFwgmULY8_Q

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle—with 164 fun, flexible ideas to help your child read their way, on their terms.
📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/RBLBundle 

🎟️ Reset & Read is now available as a replay!
 If reading still feels hard even after school has started, this workshop will walk you through how to rebuild your reading rhythm—without the stress.
🎟️ Grab the replay here → https://bit.ly/resetandread 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

You’ve noticed something about your child’s reading, but the thought of bringing it up with their teacher makes you hesitate. What if I sound pushy? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I’m overreacting?

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to have low-pressure, supportive conversations with your child’s teacher about reading. From real-life examples to simple conversation starters, you’ll learn how to approach teachers with confidence, curiosity, and collaboration—without the guilt or second guessing.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ Why talking to teachers about reading can feel so intimidating (and how to reframe it)

☑️ A mindset shift that turns “confrontation” into “collaboration”

☑️ Practical ways to start the conversation, no matter your communication style

☑️ Gentle conversation starters you can use right away

☑️ How to follow up (even if the first conversation didn’t go as planned)

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:00:25] Why it feels so hard to bring up reading concerns with teachers
[00:01:25] A personal story: learning to advocate for my child, even when it was uncomfortable
[00:03:19] Why building teacher relationships early makes conversations easier
[00:04:05] A mindset shift: collaboration, not confrontation
[00:04:39] Choosing a communication style that works for you
[00:05:33] The Conversation Starter Kit: a free resource with templates and phrasing help
[00:06:00] Real-life examples of conversation openers and questions to ask
[00:08:07] What to do if the conversation doesn’t land the way you hoped
[00:08:58] Why persistence matters: progress happens in the follow-up

[00:09:25] Sneak peek at next week’s episode
[00:09:42] Reset & Read Workshop

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post:  https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/09/05/talk-to-your-childs-teacher-about-reading/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/OLXVLDQYf5k

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Conversation Starter Kit—a free guide with conversation openers, message templates, and phrasing help to make teacher talks about reading less stressful and more supportive.
📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/teacherconvos 

🎟️ Reset & Read is now available as a replay!
 If reading still feels hard even after school has started, this workshop will walk you through how to rebuild your reading rhythm—without the stress.
🎟️ Grab the replay here → https://bit.ly/resetandread 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

When your child sighs, groans, or says, “I hate reading”—it hits deep. It’s not just about the book in front of them—it’s about what they’re starting to believe about themselves as a reader.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to help your child build confidence with reading—even when it feels like a struggle right now. You’ll learn how reader identity forms, why labels (even positive ones) can backfire, and the simple shifts that help kids start to see themselves as capable, growing readers.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ Why reading confidence starts before skills are “mastered”

☑️ How small wins build momentum and motivation

☑️ Why labels (good or bad) can hurt more than help

☑️ Practical ways to invite reading—without pressure

☑️ How to make progress visible so kids believe in themselves

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:00:25] When your child says “I hate reading”—what’s really going on
[00:01:14] How reader identity forms long before fluency
[00:02:14] A real-life example of building confidence through space and support
[00:03:03] Why book choice (even “easy” books) matters
[00:04:29] Simple, low-pressure feedback that builds belief
[00:05:38] Why labels can backfire—and what to say instead
[00:06:01] Invite, don’t assign: fun, playful ways approach reading and grow confidence
[00:08:08] The one mindset shift that makes all the difference
[00:09:28] Sneak peek: next week’s episode on talking to teachers

[00:09:56] Upcoming Reset & Read Workshop

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post:  https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/08/28/build-reading-confidence-kids/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version:  https://youtu.be/keO5Wh7x26Y

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
 Grab your Reading Stamina Tracker Kit—a kid-friendly tool to help your child see their progress and feel proud of their reading growth.
📥 Get it here → bit.ly/RSTrackerKit

🎟️ Reset & Read is now available as a replay!
 If reading still feels hard even after school has started, this workshop will walk you through how to rebuild your reading rhythm—without the stress.
🎟️ Grab the replay here → https://bit.ly/resetandread 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

You want to encourage reading—but somehow, things keep backfiring. Maybe incentives don’t work, reading time ends in frustration, or you're not sure how much to step in. Sound familiar?

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook walks you through 11 common mistakes parents make (without realizing it) when trying to support their child’s reading—and what to do instead. With gentle mindset shifts and simple strategy swaps, you’ll learn how to rebuild connection, reduce pressure, and help your child feel more confident with books.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ 11 things nearly every parent does at some point—without realizing it
☑️ Why traditional rewards and rules often backfire
☑️ Support for building confidence, connection, and progress—your way

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:00:41] Why bribes, reading logs, and pressure don’t work as intended
[00:01:54] Common reading “mistakes” we all make—and how to rethink them
[00:06:37] What to do instead: visibility, rhythm, connection, curiosity
[00:07:53] One powerful question to ask when reading gets hard
[00:08:28] When to trust the process—and when to seek outside support
[00:9:55] A simple way to boost comprehension (without quizzes)
[00:11:10] Coming soon: low-pressure back-to-school support
[00:11:41] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/08/21/reading-mistakes-parents-make/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/lRwOyo6fdnM

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle—with 164 fun, flexible reading ideas to help your child read their way, on their terms.
📥 Get it here → bit.ly/RBLBundle

📘 Need help getting your child to want to read?

Check out the Create the Invitation to Read Mini Course—a short, practical training that helps you make books feel irresistible (no nagging or bribing required).

📥 Enroll here → https://bit.ly/CTITRminicourse 

📙 Struggling with low motivation or confidence?

The Motivating Reluctant Readers Guide helps you use incentives the right way—by matching them to your child’s personality, interests, and type of reading resistance.

📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/MRR_GUIDE

🎟️ Reset & Read is now available as a replay!
 If reading still feels hard even after school has started, this workshop will walk you through how

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

You hand your child a book expecting a cozy read-aloud moment… and instead, you get crossed arms, shut-down eyes, or a flat-out “Nope.” Sound familiar? You're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook walks you through what’s really going on when your child refuses to read aloud—and how to respond with calm, connection, and confidence. From silly strategies to safe spaces, you’ll leave with tools that actually help (no battles required).

What You’ll Learn:

• Why reading aloud can feel so vulnerable for reluctant readers
• How to reframe home reading so it doesn’t feel like school
• Simple strategies to make reading aloud more approachable
• How to rebuild confidence through fun, familiarity, and safety
  
  
  

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] What’s really behind “Nope, I’m not reading that”

[00:01:14] Why reading aloud often triggers fear—not defiance

[00:02:12] How to reframe reading aloud at home

[00:02:53] Fun ways to take the pressure off reading aloud

[00:04:04] Why stamina-building matters—and how to track it

[00:04:32] Reading aloud isn’t just about practice—it’s about connection

[00:05:01] Workshop coming soon to help you with back-to-school reading rhythms

[00:05:32] Sneak peek at next week's episode

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/08/15/when-your-child-refuses-to-read-aloud/ 

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/BKxFU2fDDIg

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
 Grab your Reading Stamina Tracker Kit—a simple, confidence-boosting tool to help your child see their growth, one minute at a time.
 📥 Get it here → bit.ly/RSTrackerKit

😍 Looking for more strategies?

Download the Motivating Reluctant Readers Guide for even more practical, proven ways to make reading feel easier—and more enjoyable—for both you and your child.

📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/MRR_GUIDE 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

You’ve hit reset on your summer reading expectations—now what? If you’re wondering how to turn that fresh start into real momentum without adding more to your plate, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to create simple, flexible reading goals that build confidence and ownership—without turning books into a chore. You’ll learn how to make goals fun, track progress in ways that work for your kid, and build reading habits that last well beyond summer.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why traditional reading goals often backfire—and what works better
• How to set goals based on curiosity, not just page counts
• Creative ways to track progress without pressure
• A 4-step goal-setting process your child can actually enjoy
  
  
  

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:01:03] The mindset shift: why reading goals should feel like nudges, not assignments

[00:01:38] Why reading goals shouldn’t be a numbers game–and what to focus on instead

[00:02:22] How to tell if tracking tools will help or hinder your child

[00:03:07] Let your child pick their own goal—and why it doesn’t need to be perfect

[00:03:38] 4-step reading goal formula you can try this week

[00:04:59] A free Mini Goal Planner to help your child set and stick with their goal

[00:05:49] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/08/07/reading-goals-that-stick/ 

 📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/XrjNhkOKdF8

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
 Grab your Mini Reading Goal Planner—a simple, customizable tool to help your child set, track, and celebrate their reading wins.
 📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/MiniGoalPlanner 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

Is your once-promising summer reading routine unraveling fast? You’re not alone. By mid-summer, even the most enthusiastic readers can lose steam—and that’s okay.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook offers a compassionate, realistic approach to navigating the mid-summer reading slump. Whether your child is avoiding books, glued to screens, or just plain bored, you’ll find gentle, guilt-free strategies to help them reconnect with reading without forcing a thing.

What You’ll Learn:

Why the summer slump is normal—and not your fault
How to identify what’s really making reading hard right now
Practical, low-pressure ways to make reading feel fresh again
Small habit shifts that reset your rhythm before school starts

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:01:14] Reframing the “slump” as a mid-season reset

[00:02:20] One simple question to uncover what’s making reading hard

[00:02:51] Novelty-based ideas to reignite interest (yes—even reading in the bathtub!)

[00:03:26] When to say yes to rereads, audiobooks, or “silly” books

[00:04:12] One small habit to focus on before school starts

[00:05:09] Encouragement to reset without guilt—and keep the tone light

[00:05:21] Sneak peek at next week’s episode

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/07/31/mid-summer-reading-slump/

 
 📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/dlLpi-uQIJ8 

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
 Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle with 164 inspiring ideas to help your child read their way—anytime, anywhere.
 📥 Get it here → bit.ly/rblbundle

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

Struggling to pull your child away from screens and into books? You’re not alone. With video games, YouTube, and digital distractions everywhere, reading can feel like a losing battle. But good news—you don’t have to choose between screens and stories.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to balance screen time with reading using simple strategies that actually work. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, use tech to support literacy (not fight it), and turn everyday screen time into opportunities for reading growth.

What You’ll Learn:

☑️ Why movies aren’t “cheating”—and how they can jumpstart reading interest

☑️ How visualization gaps make reading harder for some kids (and how to help)

☑️ The pros and cons of watching the movie before reading the book

☑️ How to use book-to-movie pairings to build confidence, curiosity, and connection

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

[00:01:02] Why movies feel easier—and how they help some kids visualize stories
[00:01:39] How visualization struggles affected Ellen’s son’s reading habits
[00:03:20] Watch first or read first? When each approach makes sense
[00:04:33] Questions to ask after watching and reading to spark discussion
[00:05:11] Book-to-movie picks for Kindergarten–1st Grade
[00:05:49] Picks for 2nd–3rd Grade
[00:06:08] Picks for 4th–6th Grade
[00:07:27] Why using movies isn’t “cheating”—it’s strategic and supportive

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/07/24/book-to-movie-magic/

📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/w--by2WkSWg

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your From Page to Popcorn guide for book-to-movie picks every age will love.
📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/frompagetopopcorn 

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!

Tired of hunting down the “perfect” book only for your child to lose interest after chapter one? You’re not alone. When reading feels like a chore—for both you and your child—it’s easy to get stuck in a frustrating loop. But here’s the good news: you don’t need endless new titles to keep them hooked.

In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how book series can be a game-changer for reluctant and struggling readers. You’ll discover how the right series builds confidence, cuts down on reading resistance, and makes family reading time smoother and more enjoyable.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why book series simplify reading routines and build reading momentum
• How to use series to reduce resistance and decision fatigue
• Practical tips for choosing and introducing a series your child will love

⏳ Key Episode Highlights:

• [00:00:55] Why series are ideal for reluctant readers (familiarity, momentum, and fewer choices)
• [00:01:36] Real-life example: how a series supports bedtime reading routines
• [00:02:41] How to use mini goals to challenge them
• [00:03:48] Recommended series for Kindergarten–1st Grade
• [00:05:54] Recommended series for 2nd–3rd Grade
• [00:07:24] Recommended series for 4th–6th Grade
• [00:08:31] A one-series reading challenge to build consistent reading habits

📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/07/17/why-book-series-work/

 📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/IjCLsfnmH8g

✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Binge-Worthy Book List to help your child discover engaging, can’t-put-it-down series from kindergarten through sixth grade.
📥 Get it here → bit.ly/bingeworthybooks

Share your thoughts!

🎧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:

Follow on Instagram

Follow the Facebook Page

Join the Engaging Reluctant Readers Tribe (Facebook Group)

Follow on Pinterest

Subscribe to the Engaging Reluctant Readers YouTube Channel

✨Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle today!