One thing I’ve noticed about my son is that whenever he actually settles in to read a book, he heads straight for our living room cloud sofa. Not the kitchen table. Not his desk. Not even his bedroom. The couch.
Granted, it’s a pretty amazing couch. A giant L-shape sectional stacked with comfy pillows you can lose yourself in. The kind of couch you need help to get out of.
Honestly, I’m exactly the same way. Even though reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies and it’s still something my son is growing into, we both have strong opinions about where we like to read. No. 1 is my bed, for similar reasons. I mostly read before bed, but even when reading isn’t a pre-sleep ritual, I still prefer the coziness of reading in a fluffy cloud of blankets and pillows.
Sometimes in summer, my favorite reading spot is poolside or the back deck. But even then, it’s got to be in a lounge chair, preferably stacked with pillows.
One of my favorite childhood memories is of lying on the metal lounge chair on our porch, which was covered in a thick, pillowy cushion. I would read out there every summer evening, in the cool night air and the company of fireflies. I can still remember reaching the point where it was time for bed, but not wanting to go inside yet.
When I picture reading, I never picture sitting upright at a desk. I picture pillows, blankets, sunshine, coffee, and a book I don’t want to put down.
Looking back, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that so many of my favorite reading memories are tied to places as much as books. I remember the stories, of course. But I also remember where I was when I read them—especially the sense of comfort that, over time, became naturally associated with books for me.
As both a lifelong reader and someone who’s spent nearly three decades in education, I’ve learned that we sometimes focus so much on helping kids find the right books that we forget about the environment around those books.
Sometimes we spend so much energy helping kids learn to read that we forget reading can also be a source of comfort. And if we want kids to choose reading for themselves, it helps to think of reading as a comfort activity rather than just another educational one.
Think about it: most adults don’t choose uncomfortable places to read. We like to settle in with our books. Kids are no different. In fact, some kids—especially those with sensory issues or neurodivergence like ADHD—need that even more.
Many neurodivergent kids regulate focus through comfort, movement, and sensory input. Sometimes a beanbag chair, blanket, or hammock does more for reading engagement than another reading incentive chart ever could.
Fortunately, more schools are responding to this reality by including cozy reading corners stocked with area rugs, pillows, and even beanbag chairs. Some of my favorite indie bookstores also follow this model, decking out the children’s section in a way that invites kids to curl up with a book.
As parents, we can think about this at home too. If your child doesn’t already have a favorite reading spot, consider creating one (with their input!). I personally love the idea of a reading corner in a child’s bedroom, complete with things like big pillows and even a tent—so the space feels extra special and inviting.
We recently bought our son a loft bed, and he’s already stocked the area underneath it with piles of stuffies he uses like pillows—and I’ve caught him reading there many times!
Cozy looks different for every reader, but here are a few things that can help transform an ordinary corner into a place kids actually want to spend time:
Tent or blanket fort
Outdoor chair or hammock
Soft blanket
Pillows
Reading basket
Fairy lights
Favorite stuffed animal
Snacks
Reading spaces become woven into our memories of books. They aren’t separate from the reading itself, and maybe that’s why I love cozy reading spaces so much.
They’re also more powerful than we sometimes realize.
I’ve seen parents spend hundreds of dollars trying to motivate reluctant readers with rewards, programs, and incentives. Sometimes what helps most is simply giving a child a place where reading feels good.
Because creating an experience of comfort around reading sends a message: reading isn’t a chore, it isn’t homework, and it isn’t punishment. It’s a soft place to return to again and again when we need to feel seen and understood and to remember we belong.
In other words, it associates books with emotional safety. Long after kids forget which incentive program they participated in or how many pages they logged, they’ll remember the feeling of curling up somewhere safe with a book they loved.
Did you have a favorite reading spot as a child? I still remember mine. I’d love to hear about yours in the comments.
If you’re looking for a fun read-aloud that’s especially great for reluctant readers ages 6–8, check out Parker’s and my award-winning picture book, Attack of the Monster Pickles! It’s full of goofy fun, giant monster pickles, and a heartwarming message about using imagination to face bedtime fears.
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