| There is nothing more wonderful than opening | | | | for a while in the library. Take advantage of |
| up the world of books to a child. But getting | | | | your local library's programs, such as story |
| some children to read can be difficult. Video | | | | times, to help capture a child's interest in |
| games, TV and other electronic age toys | | | | books. |
| entice kids away from reading. Here are ten | | | | |
| tips for getting your child into the world of | | | | Throw Out Book Teasers |
| books. | | | | |
| | | | Drop tantalizing hints about a book. Start |
| Read to Them | | | | reading one yourself that your children might |
| | | | like and "share" some tempting tidbits. When |
| Kids love being read aloud to. Cuddling up on | | | | they want to know what happens - say , "Oh |
| the couch with a good book is a wonderful way | | | | you will have to read it for yourself, you |
| to spend time with your child. Even older | | | | won't believe it!" |
| children like to be read to, especially while | | | | |
| they are involved in other hands-on type | | | | Add Some Fun Extras |
| activities. | | | | |
| | | | Extend the book. Add fun activities that go |
| Have a Hide Away | | | | beyond a book. When reading Heidi, look for |
| | | | the countries on a map, eat Swiss cheese for |
| Make a reading corner in your house. Fix up a | | | | lunch or make some soft rolls for |
| cozy corner with beanbag chairs, or a large | | | | grandmother. |
| overstuffed pillow, a small bookcase. You | | | | |
| won't have to look far when they get quiet to | | | | Pull Out the VCR |
| find them. | | | | |
| | | | Watch a video about a book. Then say, "I |
| Scatter Books Around the House | | | | wonder how close that was to the book? Maybe |
| | | | we should read that." |
| Leave books lying around. Place books in the | | | | |
| bathroom, on their nightstands, in the living | | | | Make Your Own Books |
| room and even in the kitchen. When they are | | | | |
| bored they will pick them up out of | | | | Let them make their own books. Younger |
| curiosity. | | | | children especially love this. Something as |
| | | | simple as plain paper stapled together |
| Get a Library Card | | | | becomes a timeless treasure when they write |
| | | | their own stories. Let younger children tell |
| Get them their own library card. Children | | | | you the story and you write it out and they |
| love having their own library cards and | | | | illustrate it. |
| checking out books they choose, on their own. | | | | |
| | | | Set An Example |
| Got to the Library Often | | | | |
| | | | Read yourself. Children imitate what we do. |
| Visit the library often. Schedule a regular | | | | If they see you enjoying a good book often, |
| library day, and just let them sit and read | | | | chances are they will too. |