Reading: Has your child unlocked this superpower yet?
If not, the Adventure Don series was made to help them do exactly that.
By Roshenka Jayamaha
We give our children vitamins. We stress over their food and well-being. We arrange playdates to support their social development. We fret over screen time and sign them up for everything under the sun; football, chess, swimming, art. All of it matters a great deal. But are we also helping our kids tap into the one skill that could set them up for life?
Reading. It costs little, requires no special equipment, but if done regularly, and with joy, it has the power to dramatically shape a child's academic progress, character, health, and well-being. It is, in many ways, a truly underrated superpower. According to an article published by the Ohio State University, a recent study has found that young children whose parents read them five books a day, enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than children who were never read to. They start school with a clear advantage. It is, however, never too late to instill a passion for reading in children. As important as it is to read, it is equally important to read with comprehension and fluency, developing the ability to truly understand and grasp the meaning of the words on the page.
Reading paves the way for academic success: Reading in early childhood is directly linked to improved cognitive performance and mental well-being later in life, and bolsters learning, memory, speech development, and academic achievement across all subjects (University of Cambridge). Regular reading also strengthens brain development, sharpens concentration and focus, expands vocabulary and comprehension, and sparks creativity and imagination.
A child who reads frequently understands concepts more deeply, carries a broader base of general knowledge, and arrives at school more confident and better equipped to meet their academic requirements. Reading is the foundational skill that all other learning is built on.
Whole person development: Reading also gives children the chance to experience a broad range of emotions, from anger and frustration to joy and excitement, through a character's perspective, helping them normalize their own feelings and build emotional regulation. From the safety of a comfy couch, books let children face fear, doubt, and tricky situations. Quietly and powerfully, they learn that they are not alone in facing struggles, and challenges can be overcome. Stories also let children step into the world of others, nurturing empathy, kindness and compassion. This is the beauty of reading: it doesn’t just support academic growth; it also helps us nurture and raise good human beings.
One of the most powerful stress relievers: Research by Dr. David Lewis found that reading a book you enjoy for as little as six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by 60%, it lowers the heart rate, eases muscle tension, and improves one’s overall state of mind. The same study found that reading outperformed listening to music, going for a walk, and playing video games as a stress reliever (MHFA England).
Building lifelong learners: Children who embrace reading early on, lay the foundations for a lifetime of learning. Those who learn well, and keep learning, consistently perform, adapt, and deliver better outcomes at every stage of life. Through reading, children cultivate a genuine love for learning and discovery that will carry them through school, into their professional careers, and beyond.
Reading enjoyment is in decline: Despite everything reading offers, enjoyment levels are falling in certain age groups. According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, there is a decline in reading enjoyment, frequency, and perceived importance as children get older, as structured activities and digital engagement compete more aggressively for their time. The National Literacy Trust's research echoes this, finding that reading enjoyment among children aged 5 to 8 dipped this year, driven in particular by a drop in interest among boys.
Adventure Don was made exactly for this moment: This thrilling adventure series for children features Don Rupert, a lovable, funny and relatable eight-year-old boy. Don discovers that his family has a secret, they are Guardians of the Wild, sworn protectors of the world’s wild creatures and places. And when he accidentally becomes a Guardian himself, a whole ten years too early, Don is launched into a series of exciting missions across Sri Lanka and the world.
With the help of his genius dad Alex, happy-go-lucky mum Rosy, loyal dog Beau, and his cool air-surf skateboard Berty, Don saves wildlife in trouble and learns valuable lessons along the way. This story was crafted to support literacy and English language development in young readers. It features wholesome values and also focuses on developing environmental leadership and healthy habits, which are woven naturally into the adventure. Readers can also access an English comprehension quiz, so they can test their knowledge after reading the book. Upon completing the quiz successfully, readers will be able to earn a certificate with their very own Guardian Badge. Parents are also welcome to visit www.roshenakjayamaha.com to sign their children up for the ‘Reading Club’, which will offer ongoing reading activities and free resources.
An all-important transitional reading tool: The Adventure Don series was built as a transitional reading tool, to help children move from picture books and early reading materials to chapter books in a way that feels fun and achievable rather than daunting. Each book has short chapters, plenty of sound words, hand-drawn illustrations and a deliberate mix of easy and more challenging vocabulary and sentence structures. It’s manageable enough to build confidence but also challenges young readers to stretch themselves and grow. The series is similar to the Arthur and Ben 10 series, and the Magic Tree House in length, and in regard to reading difficulty, it could fit alongside Roald Dahl's shorter works.
A proudly Sri Lankan story, created for the children of the world: The first book in the series, Adventure Don & The Sea Turtle Rescue, takes Don and his family to the southern coast of Sri Lanka to save a hundred loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings, it introduces children to a conservation challenge, and encourages them to embrace their own role in protecting the planet. It is ideal for kids aged 6-10. The Adventure Don series was written and illustrated with the interests of real children in mind. It is inspired by my son and the everyday adventures of family life. It was made for the curious, big-hearted young reader, and was crafted to inspire and delight children across the world.
Pre-order your copy today: Published by M.D. Gunasena, Adventure Don & The Sea Turtle Rescue is now available for pre-orders. Scan the QR code to learn more and secure your copy of the very first edition.
