📚 Raising Boys, Raising Readers: A Mother’s Journey Through Books
Imani Kirkman photographed with her two boys.
This month, we had the joy of sitting down with a mom of two young boys to talk about books, bedtime rituals, and what it means to raise readers in today’s world. From her own late discovery of a love for reading to the joy of watching her boys fall in love with stories, she shares wisdom and warmth that will resonate with any parent. From bedtime rituals tucked under blankets to the importance of diverse representation, Imani Kirkman reflects on her own journey as a reader and how it shapes the way she parents today.
Her story reminds us that raising readers isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, patience, and the power of a good book to spark connection.
The Role of Books in The Home
How would you describe the role of books in your home?
In my home, books play a major role in both my children’s and my own life. My boys have shelves full of diverse stories—tales that let them see the world and also see themselves. It’s important to me that they grow to love reading as much as I do, if not more.
Did you grow up as a reader yourself? How does that influence the way you parent now?
Reading has always been present in my life, but I truly fell in love with it in high school. I still remember my 9th grade English class and the moment I realized how much I enjoyed reading—it was with Crank by Ellen Hopkins. From then on, I’ve been devouring books, almost like breathing in whispers of forgotten souls. That passion is something I want to pass on to my children.
Parenting Two Boys: Imani’s Perspective on Reading Interests
Do your boys have similar or different reading interests?
Right now, since they’re still pretty young, their interests are the same: any book that I read to them!
Why is it important to you that your boys see themselves in the stories they read?
Representation matters. If my boys see characters in books who look like them, it makes the story more impactful. It also teaches them to love themselves exactly as they are, instead of feeling like they need to be someone else just to belong.
Family Reading Routines and Habits
Do you have a family reading routine?
We read during bedtime and throughout the weekend. It’s our time to slow down, cuddle up, and share stories together.
How do you balance screen time with reading?
As a mom who works from home, I believe screen time is essential. For us, it’s often educational—things like Hooked on Phonics or YouTube Kids learning videos. My youngest is only three years old and can already read words I’ve never taught him, which shows me that learning happens in many forms. I do make sure that books are still part of their day, whether it’s through me reading aloud when I’m off work or them engaging with reading apps.
What’s your favorite part of watching your boys fall in love with a book?
It’s watching their vocabularies grow and their imaginations expand. There’s something magical about seeing their faces light up at a new word or a picture that sparks curiosity.
What advice would you give to other parents raising boys to love reading?
Find books that are relatable to them. That might mean stories with diverse characters, or even books featuring the characters they already love from shows—like Bluey. The important thing is connecting reading to joy.
Fill in the blank: Reading with my sons helps us…
Create everlasting memories that they can one day share with their own little ones.
This conversation reminds us that building a love of reading doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence, representation, and the willingness to meet children where they are. As this mom beautifully put it, books are not just pages—they’re memories in the making.
Carrying the Story Forward
Conversations with parents like Imani remind us that raising readers is both fearless and tender. It’s about weaving books into everyday routines, creating safe spaces for imagination, and ensuring that children see themselves in the stories they love. Her journey offers inspiration for families everywhere, showing that reading is less about perfection and more about presence.
To help you carry these lessons into your own home, we’ve gathered a list of recommended titles that celebrate boys’ joy, imagination, and identity at every stage.
đź“– Book Picks for Boys
Looking for stories to share with the boys in your life? Here are a few handpicked favorites across age groups that celebrate imagination, identity, and joy:
👶🏽 Toddlers & Preschool
Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee – rhythmic and playful, perfect for bedtime.
Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim – a joyful celebration of little ones.
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes – affirmations of self-worth and joy.
📚 Early Readers (5–8)
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes – a vibrant celebration of Black boyhood.
Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper – a tender story about love that follows wherever you go.
Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo. A heartwarming story of a boy spending the day working with his father, discovering love, laughter, and magical moments along the way.
📖 Middle Grade (9–12)
New Kid by Jerry Craft – a graphic novel about belonging and identity.
As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds – two brothers navigating summer, family, and courage.
Wonder – R.J. Palacio -a moving story about kindness, courage, and celebrating differences.
🎓 Teens (13+)
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds – a verse novel about grief, justice, and choice.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam – powerful story about resilience and art as survival.
Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles – a heartfelt story about family and loss. A young man searches for answers after the death of his brother at the hands of police in this striking debut novel, for readers of The Hate U Give.
👉 Explore more boy-centered stories in our 18 August Ave collection.
This conversation reminds us that raising readers is about more than teaching kids to decode words—it’s about creating space for joy, identity, and connection. As Imani shared, books are not just stories; they are memories in the making.
