Over the weekend, writer Neil Gaiman and artist Lorenzo Mattotti appeared together at the New York City independent bookstore McNally Jackson to promote Hansel & Gretel. At the event, Gaiman read an excerpt from the story in front of an audience that included a plethora of both adults and kids.
Gaiman is no stranger to presenting stories to children being both a father and a Newbery Medal winner. During the Q&A session, he offered some guidance for reading stories to young people.
Below, we’ve collected some of his advice. Do you have any further recommendations to add?
Neil Gaiman’s 4 Tips For Reading to Kids
1. “Do the voices.”
2. Incorporate body language.
3. Use physical books so both parents and child can hold it and turn the pages; “let the children chew the edges.”
4. Do this at a regular time everyday.