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For Readaholics: How can children’s books spark a lifelong love of reading and curiosity about the world?

Posted by Kajori Sheryl Paul on

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”

– Maya Angelou

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills that parents need to inculcate in children. As Maya Angelou said books indeed have a unique life-giving power. They spark a child’s imagination at an early age and contribute immensely to their stimulation, growth, and cognitive development. Their creativity is invoked and they develop the skill to think critically from a very early age.

The habit of reading can be introduced to babies as well. In fact, I gifted my sister her first book when she was just a few months old. By reading to babies and making it an integral part of their lives, we develop their interest in reading and make them curious about the world. Children’s books are the first steps of a lifelong love for reading. Hence, it is very important to pick and choose the books best suited for your young ones.

Let us look at the various ways in which children’s books spark a love for reading and curiosity about the world.

Charlotte’s Web Sparked My Lifelong Curiosity

The book that unlocked my love for reading was “Charlotte’s Web.” I was seven when my grandmother gave me a worn copy with creased pages and a strawberry-juice stain on chapter three. I’d never been hooked by a story like that before—the barnyard friendships, the quiet heroism of a spider, the way words themselves felt magical. I’d sit under our apple tree in Pleasant Grove, tracing Charlotte’s webs with my finger and wondering how something so small could change so much.

That book taught me curiosity isn’t just about asking questions—it’s about noticing the extraordinary in ordinary places. I started paying attention to the world differently: the way crickets sang in rhythm at dusk, how our neighbor’s wind chimes sounded like rain. Later, as I built my career in music, that lesson stuck. Whether I’m sound-checking a blues band or coaching a speaker, it’s about listening for the details others might miss.

Stories are the first maps we use to navigate life. They show us how to care about things bigger than ourselves.

Years later, I revisited “Charlotte’s Web” while planning a charity event themed around “unsung heroes.” We hired a folk singer to perform acoustic covers while volunteers shared stories of local mentors. Watching the crowd lean in, tissues clutched, I thought of Charlotte spinning her webs in the dark. Great stories—like great music—don’t shout. They hum, connecting people in ways they’ll carry long after the last note fades.

That tattered paperback still sits on my shelf, a reminder that the simplest tales often hold the deepest magic.

Sally Johnson, Owner, Green Light Booking, LLC

Magic School Bus Ignited My Passion

“The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body” was the book that changed everything for me. I must have read it 50 times as a kid. Something about shrinking down to microscopic size and exploring the body like a real-world adventure made me obsessed with how things worked. I remember tracing the paths of red blood cells and imagining what it would be like to be a scientist.

Fast forward a few decades, and I’m still in that world—just in a different way. Running a healthcare resource means I get to work with the products that help people maintain their bodies. Funny how a simple book about a fictional field trip led to a career where I’m constantly thinking about health and wellness.

Renato Fernandes, Clinical Nutritionist, Saude Pulso

The Way Things Work Transformed My Thinking

David Macaulay’s “The Way Things Work” changed the way I looked at everyday things. It wasn’t just a book; it was a guide to understanding why things function the way they do. The pictures of tools being broken down into simple parts helped me understand that tough problems are really just layers of easier ones that can be solved. This way of thinking shaped how I work at my company, where getting back data is like breaking down a machine to get back to its basic functions. I learned more than just facts from the book. It taught me how to break down problems and put together answers again.

Alan Chen, President & CEO, DataNumen, Inc.

Journey to the Center of the Earth Inspired Me

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was around 7 years old and my parents had just bought a new house in a different city. It was an exciting but scary time for me as I had to leave behind all my friends and start over in a new school. As we were unpacking our boxes, I came across a children’s book that my parents had bought for me as a gift.

The book was called “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne. It immediately caught my eye with its vibrant cover and intriguing title. I couldn’t wait to read it and escape into another world during this difficult time of transition.

As I delved into the pages, I was transported to a world of adventure and discovery. The story followed a group of explorers who journeyed through the depths of the Earth, encountering all sorts of challenges and wonders along the way. From prehistoric creatures to underground waterfalls, the book sparked my imagination and ignited my love for reading.

But more than that, it also sparked my curiosity about the world around me. I started asking questions and seeking answers about science, geography, and history. This book opened up a whole new world for me and I couldn’t get enough.

Ryan Nelson, Founder, PropertyBuild

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Taught Creativity

I owe a lot to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” As a kid, I was fascinated by the way Willy Wonka turned something ordinary—chocolate—into an entire world of creativity. I wasn’t just reading a story; I was learning that there’s always a way to do things differently.

That lesson stayed with me. Running a tutoring software company might seem worlds away from a chocolate factory, but it’s the same principle. I look at tutoring businesses and think, how can we make this process smoother? How can we bring a little bit of that Wonka-level creativity to something as simple as scheduling and payments? Turns out, the best ideas sometimes come from the most unexpected places.

Tom Hamilton Stubber, Managing Director, TutorCruncher

Where the Wild Things Are Captivated Me

I can still remember the exact moment a book turned me into a lifelong reader—“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. 

There was something about Max’s wild adventure, the stunning illustrations, and the idea of escaping into a world of imagination that captivated me.

That book taught me that stories have the power to transport, transform, and inspire. From then on, I was hooked, constantly searching for books that could take me on new adventures and spark my curiosity about the world.

Marissa Sabrina, Creative Director, LeadLearnLeap

Harold and the Purple Crayon Shaped My Path

One book that shaped my curiosity early on was “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” Seeing Harold draw his own world, solve problems, and turn simple ideas into something bigger sparked something in me. That mindset stuck—creating something from nothing, shaping my own path, and believing that possibilities exist where others see blank space.

A great children’s book does more than entertain. It teaches resourcefulness, fuels imagination, and builds confidence. For me, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” planted the seed that anything can be built with creativity and persistence.

Zarina Bahadur, CEO and Founder, 123 Baby Box

Swiss Family Robinson Influenced My Perspective

I didn’t realize “The Swiss Family Robinson” would have such a lasting impact on me when I read it as a kid. I was fascinated by the way the family built their home—turning raw materials into something practical, beautiful, and built to last. That story made me look at everyday objects differently.

Now, as someone who runs a business focused on gifts, I still think about that book. Every gift we review needs to be both functional and stylish. Just like that shipwrecked family built their treehouse with care, I take pride in creating spaces that feel like home.

Danilo Miranda, Managing Director, Presenteverso

The Phantom Tollbooth Fueled My Passion for Discovery

“The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster profoundly shaped my love for reading and curiosity. The whimsical characters and clever wordplay captivated me as a child, while Milo’s journey encouraged exploration and learning. This entertaining tale conveys valuable lessons about knowledge and community, inspiring me to seek diverse books and ideas throughout my life. The blend of humor and wisdom ultimately fueled my lifelong passion for discovery.

Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo

We’d love to hear from you!

What did you think about this article? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • What’s one idea from this article that inspired you the most?
  • How will you try this in your own family adventures?
  • Do you have any fun tips or experiences to add to the quest?

Let’s keep the conversation going! 🌟

About Noah’s Quest® Insights

Hey there, friends! This is 11-year-old Noah from the book of Sev Emanuel Pretila, Noah’s Quest®. Welcome to Noah’s Quest® Insights! This is the spot where super-smart grown-ups (and some pretty cool kids with adult help) share their best ideas to make family time extra special. Think of it like a treasure map packed with all kinds of ways to have fun, learn new things, and go on big adventures—together! Whether it’s finding your next favorite book, making something awesome, or just discovering cool ways to connect, Noah’s Quest® Insights is here to help.

Every article is made for families with kids 12 and under, just like me, and it’s all about making life more fun, creative, and full of wholesome adventure. So grab your imagination, your adult (if you’re a kid like me), and let’s go exploring!

Read my story, too!

Noah's Quest by Sev

Did you know that before the Noah’s Quest and Friends Fave Book Award, the blog, or the awards program, there was a book all about me? Yup, I’m the main character in an awesome story by Sev Emanuel Pretila! It’s called Noah’s Quest. If you’re curious about how it all began and want to read my adventure, you’ve got to check it out. You’ll love it—I pinky promise! Adventure is waiting! Visit the About the Book page to get started.

– Noah from Noah’s Quest by Sev Emanuel Pretila

P.S. The book is just 99 cents on Amazon today! Hurry! Check it out here. Thanks!

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Published by Kajori Sheryl Paul

Reading is my passion, and writing is my compulsion. I started reading from a very early age. Since then, I have not stopped. I have garnered this addiction from my father. I have always loved reading his books. As you can see, books are my world. I escape this world to traverse the world of my books. Naturally, I have an affinity to create worlds of my own. There are thoughts constantly swirling in my head. These are the thoughts that I jot down. Sometimes, they become poems while sometimes stories. More often than not, they are just reviews of the plethora of books I read and the things I do.

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