Ask what each child wants from the session
An older child might want a longer story while a younger child wants to see every illustration. Look for a format that gives both a useful entry point, such as a short chapter with occasional pictures or a collection of independent stories. Preview any content you want to consider before the shared reading. Do not assume the youngest child’s presence makes every older preference unavailable; a separate continuation later may preserve that interest without forcing the shared session to stretch.
Make participation flexible
Explain that listening, looking at pictures, or doing a quiet compatible activity may all fit the session if they work for the group. Choose where people can sit so the illustrations are visible. Avoid repeatedly interrupting the story to test whether each child is paying attention. If one person wants to stop, provide an ordinary alternative rather than asking them to sit resentfully until everyone else finishes. Keep the session short enough that the arrangement is manageable for the adult reading too.
Give each child another kind of turn
Rotate who chooses from a prepared shortlist, who opens the book, or which character’s picture you look at first. These small roles should add enjoyment rather than become duties. Ask afterward whether the length and format worked. If the shared book repeatedly satisfies nobody, choose a shorter family story and preserve individual reading time. The goal is a comfortable shared moment around a book, not proof that every sibling can engage with the same text in the same way.