Get Started With A Book Journal

How To Start A Reading Log For Kids (and Grownups)

kid sitting on a pile of books reading - book journal

Are you a young bookworm? Looking for a fun way to track your reading adventures? Look no further than “My Very Own Book Journal For Kids‘!

It’s the perfect companion for all young book lovers. This journal lets you record important details like the book title, author, and how the book made you feel. You can even jot down new words and recommend the book to others. So grab a pen and embark on a literary journey with your Book Journal.

What’s Inside “My Very Own Book Journal For Kids”?

The book journal is designed and illustrated for kids and published by Ooh Lovely.

  • It has space for 50 reviews, with each two-page review section including details such as book title, author, date, number of pages, and how the book made the reader feel.
  • The journal also includes sections for tracking new words learned and their meanings, recommendations for others, and star ratings.
  • There is ample space for writing or drawing personal reviews, as well as extra sections for doodling favourite scenes and characters, and a special section for choosing your favourite “Desert Island Books”
  • Buy Now On Amazon
My Very Own Book Journal For Kids Published By Ooh Lovely

Benefits of Using a Book Journal for Kids

Whether you create your own book journal with a blank notebook or use our book journal, you’ll discover numerous benefits to using a reading log for kids.

First and foremost, it promotes reading engagement. By keeping track of the books they read, children become more invested in their reading journey, setting goals and challenging themselves to read more.

Additionally, a book journal or reading log enhances reading comprehension. As children jot down their thoughts and reflections on each book, they develop a deeper understanding of the story and its themes. This process encourages critical thinking and analysis, leading to improved comprehension skills.

Moreover, a book journal and reading log aids in vocabulary development. By recording new words they encounter while reading, children can later review and reinforce their understanding of these words, expanding their vocabulary. This not only improves their reading skills but also enhances their overall communication abilities.

Furthermore, a book journal provides a space for reflection and self-expression. Children can express their thoughts, emotions, and personal connections to the books they read, fostering a sense of self-awareness and creativity.

Lastly, a reading log helps develop organizational skills. By keeping track of book titles, authors, and dates, children learn to be organized and responsible for their reading progress. This skill set extends beyond reading and becomes beneficial in various aspects of their lives.

a little girl laying on a bed with lots of books - book journal

How to Start and Maintain a Book Journal

To begin, grab a notebook and a pen, and gather your favorite books. Starting and maintaining a reading log is a fun and rewarding activity for kids that can help you keep track of your reading adventures.

The first step in journal organization is to create different sections for each book you read. Write down the book’s title, author, and the date you started reading it. As you read, jot down your favorite lines and passages that stood out to you. This will help you remember the book, and also provide a personal reflection on how it made you feel.

Book selection is an important part of maintaining your reading log. Choose books that you enjoy and that are appropriate for your age and reading level. Don’t be afraid to try new genres and authors. Your book journal is a space for creative expression, so feel free to write or draw your own reviews. Include a star rating to help you remember which books you loved the most.

Maintaining a book journal reading log can also be a great opportunity for parent-child bonding. Share your thoughts and reviews with your parents or siblings. Discuss the books you’ve read and recommend them to each other. This can create meaningful conversations and deepen your love for reading.

Fun Activities to Enhance the Book Journaling Experience

To make the most of your book journal reading log experience, try out some fun activities that will enhance your reading adventures.

Get creative with prompts that inspire you to think deeply about the books you read. Use drawings or illustrations to bring your favorite scenes and characters to life. Challenge yourself with reading challenges that push you to explore different genres or read a certain number of books in a month. Write down your favorite book quotes and share them with others. And why not try your hand at book-themed crafts, like making bookmarks or creating your own book cover designs?

One activity you can do is to come up with creative prompts for each book you read. These prompts can be questions that make you reflect on the themes or characters in the book, or they can be writing prompts that encourage you to write a short story or poem inspired by the book.

Another fun activity is to use drawings or illustrations to visually represent your reading experiences. Draw your favorite scenes from the book, create character portraits, or even design your own book covers.

If you’re up for a challenge, set reading goals for yourself. You can challenge yourself to read a certain number of books in a month or try to explore different genres that you haven’t read before.

Don’t forget to write down your favorite book quotes as you come across them. These quotes can serve as inspiration and can be shared with others who might be interested in reading the same book.

Make bookmarks out of colorful paper or create your own book cover designs using art supplies. As you record your thoughts and feelings about each book, you can also get creative and make crafts related to the story. For example, if you read a book about pirates, you can make a pirate hat or create a treasure map. These crafts can be a fun way to bring the stories to life and can also serve as recommendations for others who enjoy hands-on activities.

Tips for Encouraging Kids to Use a Book Journal

With these tips, you can easily encourage your kids to use a book journal. Creative prompts are a great way to spark their imagination and get them excited about recording their thoughts. Encourage them to draw their favorite scenes or characters from the book, or even write a short story inspired by what they’ve read.

Tracking progress is another important aspect of using a book journal reading log. Help your kids set goals for how many books they want to read and track their progress along the way. This will give them a sense of accomplishment and motivate them to keep reading.

Personalized reviews are a fun way for kids to express their opinions about the books they’ve read. Encourage them to write about how the book made them feel, what they liked or didn’t like about it, and who they’d recommend it to. This will help them reflect on their reading experiences and also develop their critical thinking skills.

Vocabulary building is an important skill that can be enhanced through using a book journal reading log. Encourage your kids to write down any new words they come across while reading and their meanings. This will expand their vocabulary and help them become better readers and writers.

Lastly, sharing recommendations is a great way for kids to engage with others about the books they’ve read. Encourage them to share their favorite books with friends, family, or even join a book club or online reading community. This will foster a love for reading and create opportunities for meaningful discussions and connections with others.

Inspiring Book Recommendations for Kids

When you regularly use your book journal reading log, you can discover inspiring book recommendations for kids and share them with others. Your book journal isn’t only a tool to track the books you’ve read, but it also becomes a valuable resource for finding new favorites. As you fill in the details of each book, including the title, author, and your own review, you can easily refer back to your journal when you’re looking for your next great read.

One way to use your book journal to find book recommendations is to look back at your favorite books. Flip through the pages and see which books you gave a high star rating or wrote glowing reviews about. These are the books that made a lasting impression on you and are likely to be enjoyed by others.

Another way to find inspiring book recommendations is by using book review templates. Many book journals, like the ‘My Very Own Book Journal‘ provide prompts and spaces for you to write detailed reviews. These reviews can serve as a guide for others who are looking for recommendations. You can also use these templates to organize your thoughts and reflect on what you loved about each book.

Setting reading goals can also lead you to discover new books. When you challenge yourself to read a certain number of books or explore different genres, you’ll naturally seek out recommendations to help you reach your goals. Your book journal can be a place to jot down these recommendations and keep track of the books you want to read next.

If you’re part of a book club, your book journal can be a valuable resource for book club recommendations. Share your reviews and favorite books with your fellow club members, and together you can create a list of books to read and discuss.

You are ready to journal!

So now you know how to get started with creating a book journal for kids. You can easily make your own with a notebook, or you can use an illustrated journal such as “My Very Own Book Journal For Kids” published by Ooh Lovely. Either way, Just let your imagination soar!

So don’t wait any longer, start your literary journey today and let your words and drawings come alive in the pages of your very own book journal.

Happy reading!


My Very Own Book Journal For Kids Published By Ooh Lovely

My Very Own Book Journal

A Reading Log For Kids (and Grownups) Who Love Books

Each two-page review section has room to track:

  • Book title
  • Author
  • Date
  • Number of pages
  • How this book made me feel
  • New words I learned and their meaning
  • Who would I recommend this book to
  • Star rating
  • Ample space for writing or drawing your own review

You can order the journal through your local bookshop.
ISBN-13: 978-0957283732 or through online shops

Buy Now On Amazon