Here are some hints on reading to and by children from a California library.

• Remember that books can be read TO your child, WITH your child, or BY your child. Children of all ages enjoy hearing a good story. If you are looking for a book that your child can read independently - use the five-finger rule. Have your child read the first page of a selected book (several pages if there are not many words on a page) and hold up one finger for each word missed during reading. If at the end of the page(s) the child has five fingers in the air, then the book is too difficult to read independently and you should consider reading the book to your child. Sometimes children like to take turns reading longer text. This is a great way to model good reading and provides an opportunity to stop and talk about what you have read together.
• Your youngsters can make sure they get in their fifteen or twenty minutes of daily read-aloud time (either they read to you or you read to them) by keeping a reading calendar.
• Find a fable, fairy tale, or other short story for your child to read. Then ask your child to illustrate a part of the story he or she likes best or describe a favorite character. Have the child dictate or write a few sentences that tell about this picture.
• Provide your child with a piece of cardboard about 6" long and 2" wide. On one side of the bookmark, have your child draw a picture of a scene from a book he or she has read. On the other side, ask your child to write the name of the book, its author, publisher, publication date, and a few sentences about the book. After making several of these bookmarks, you might ask the child to send them to friends and relatives as gifts accompanied by a short note. We also suggest that as the student reads the book, he/she should journal the main events of the book and his/her thoughts about the book. For example, they could write about what they like/dislike about it or what the events remind the student of - a previous book they have read, a situation in their lives, a pet they have.
• Keeping a reading journal. Creating a reading festival by reading aloud several books by one particular author
• Another suggestion is for parents and children to participate in activities that complement reading. If there is access to a computer, children can write and submit online book reviews.
• Book Bumper Stickers: Using a strip of paper, advertise your family’s enthusiasm for reading right where everybody can see it-on the bumper of your car.
• Before your children print their bumper stickers, they’ll need a catchy slogan. Since it’s the family car, the whole family may want to be in on the brainstorming session. Keep the message short and direct. For example:
  • We Break for Books
  • Have Your Read Your Book Today?
  • Honk If You Like to Read!
  • We (heart symbol for Love) Books!
  • Back seat Reader
  • Do You Know Where Your Library Is?
• Have your children print the slogan in bold, dark letters on the strip of paper. They can use stencils, stick-on letters, or write freehand. When your family tires of one message, simply replace it with another.
• Ask your children to study the reviewing styles of movie critics in the newspaper and imitate their styles in a review of their own, using a favorite book instead of a movie. Ask them to give it a thumbs up/down or a stars rating.
• Climb the Beanstalk: A game
  • Supplies: Roll of green crepe paper, long green ribbon (or long strand of green yarn), masking tape, green construction paper, scissors, envelope, cellophane tape.
  • Tape a strip of green crepe paper from the floor to the ceiling. Have the kids cut lots of green leaves out of construction paper. Store the leaves in an envelope in an easy to reach place.
  • For every book children read (or books you read aloud to them), they write the book title and author's name on a leaf and add it to their beanstalk, beginning a few inches above the floor and working their way toward the ceiling. By the time they're halfway to the top, they may need a stepladder and your supervision to tape on their leaves.
• Read some tall tales and illustrate their own versions of a tall tale in any medium they desire.

Source: Santa Barbara County Libraries. Fourth grade Reading List