This much we know!
Once a child has mastered the basics you need to be providing books that they want to read. Books need to be well written so your child is having the best possible experience of story telling - you want your child to develop a love of reading, and the earlier you can develop this habit the better. This much we know...
If you are unsure about what is good, choose books by well known and award winning authors at first, that way you can be sure of the quality of the experience.
Some children find thick books quite daunting so it might be best to choose a thinner book.
A well written, engaging story that is short enough for a child to be able to read in a few days is a great idea. Reading a whole book gives a great sense of achievement to a child and gives them confidence to read more.
If your child is enjoying what they are reading they will want to read more. It's important at this stage to offer books that will grab their interest. Often a non- fiction book can be a good way to motivate your child to read, especially if it's about a topic they are learning about at school. The Horrible Histories and Horrible Science series are good.
Try to engage interest by choosing a book which has been on the television, or is a spin-off from a television show or recent film. Jacqueline Wilson books are very popular with older children. Tracy Beaker has been dramatised for television and that link might encourage them to read that series or other books by the same author. The Narnia books can be appealing following the film.
If your child wants to read a book let them read it, even if you think it's going to be too hard for them. You can always read it to them or share the reading a page each. Coversely if your child wants to choose a book that you think is too easy for them, let them read it. Children like familiarity, and if being able to read the book quickly and effortlessly boosts their confidence in their ability as a reader then that's a good result!
If your child is reluctant to read books, then see if you can encourage them to read signs on shops or the sides of vehicles, it's all reading and success at this might give them the confidence to try a book.
Try to set an example for your child: let your child see you sitting quietly reading a book for pleasure.