For some children, reading comes easily. Once they pick up their first book, you can’t get them to do much else. For others, however, reading is a chore—difficult, frustrating, and thus, joyless. WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital, with funding by a major grant from the U.S. Department of Education, has produced a comprehensive website to support parents of both easy and struggling readers.

For the first group, parents can browse suggested books by theme (from award-winners and Black History Month to princesses, aliens, bedtime stories, and being the new kid in school) and pick out some new titles for their growing collection. Charming video clips of interviews with top children’s authors lend insight into their philosophies and their varied writing styles.

For the second group, a wealth of information is available on why children struggle with reading. Articles cover targeting the problem, acting as their advocate, boosting their self-esteem, and finding help. The site explains that while learning to read is a challenge for almost 40 percent of kids, addressing children’s struggles early on gives a great chance for lifelong reading success. An online store stocks books, DVDs, and other resources for your family’s distinct needs, which may go beyond reading skills to discipline, social skills, and AD/HD.