20 Inspiring Quotes About Reading for Kids and Students!

Reading is Fundamental.  In fact, it is one of the most important ingredients to becoming all that you can be.

Reading develops your brain, provides a window into the world around you and helps you do better in all school subjects.

Most importantly, reading can not only help you become a better student, but a better person.  You can learn from the brightest people whenever and wherever you choose.

As important as reading is did you know that:

• 800 million people around the world cannot read or write
• Many families (and some schools) have no books for children to read

There are likely many children and people in your town or city that fall into this group.  If you are already a strong reader, helping others to read is an amazing gift that you can give and there are some ideas below as to how you can help.

First, here are some inspiring quotes about reading that show the power and impact it can have on you and the world:

1. “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” — Frederick Douglass
2. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”
3. “I find television very educating.  Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” – Groucho Marx
4. “There are many little ways to enlarge your world.  Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy
5. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller
6. “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
7. “There are worse crimes than burning books.  One of them is not reading them.” – Ray Bradbury
8. “Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” – Edmund Burke
9. “The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest (people) of the past centuries.” – Descartes
10. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Richard Steele”
11. “So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.” — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
12. “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”  – Mary Schmich
13. “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King
14. “No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting. — Lady Montagu
15. “To learn to read is to light a fire” — Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
16. “You can find magic wherever you look.  Sit back and relax all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss
17. “Books train your mind to imagination to think big – Taylor Swift
18. “If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” – Roald Dahl
19. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body – Joseph Addison
20. “The whole world opened up to me when I learned to read” – Mary McCleod Bethune

Here is great video on the importance of reading from Book People Unite, with some folks you are sure to know!

Additional Resources:

Check out all of our inspiring stories and quotes for kids about education and reading

See all of our other great quotes for kids

Here are some InspireMyKids stories that show the importance of reading and education:

• Ben Carson – From Troubled Youth to Inspirational Success
• Michelle Obama – Words of Wisdom for a Hopeful Tomorrow
• Samantha Garvey – From Homelessness to High Honor
• Jaime Escalante – He Touch Unteachable Students to Shine

Topics for Discussion:

• What is your favorite reading quote above?  Why?
• Why is reading important?
• How has reading helped you become a better person?
• How do you think the world would be different if everyone knew how to read?

Take Action:

• Not all children are provided with an equal chance to read.  If you are fortunate to be a good reader, you can try to help other children in need.  Hold a fundraiser or raise money for a charity like Reading is Fundamental, Booktober or FirstBook
• Volunteer to read to younger students in your school or donate your old books to a local charity, preschool, library or hospital
• Think about what you can do to improve your own reading?  Consider using this worksheet to set some goals for yourself

Teacher Features:

• Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for elementary school students.
• Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for middle school students.