World Book Night 2012

This afternoon I will be functioning as a "book giver" for World Book Night. Actually, I try to be a "book giver" all the time: sharing books with friends, family, all of you here on the blog. But today is especially meaningful.

As a "book giver" I will be targeting people who are NOT avid readers already. I've chosen a school to visit at dismissal time to hand out my books, which are THE BOOK THIEF. I hope that these books can make a difference for at least one of the young people I share them with.

But taking part in this project also reminds me of the important things each and every one of us can do EVERY day. Learning to love to read should happen when we're very young. I remember to this day my mother reading to me, my teachers reading to me, librarians reading to me, babysitters...Reading was a special time - a fun time - and that's how I learned to love reading. Today reading is still a special time in my day. Something I look forward to.

So, I thought I'd take a few minutes to compose of list of things each of us can do to encourage reading every day:

1. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read to your children. Make time. It is the most valuable time you can give them. Turn off the televisions and video games and computers and READ to your children. When they're old enough, let them read to you. But make a special time that you share together to read.

2. You don't have to be a parent to read to children. Read to your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, children you babysit, volunteer to read at story hour for your library or local bookstore, volunteer to read at your local school, a hospital, a nursing home or a homeless shelter.

3. Model the behavior. Show your children you value reading by READING. Don't sit in wonder as to why your children don't love reading if they never see you doing it. Read the newspaper, magazines, books, just read. Again, turn off the televisions, the video games, the computers, the smart phones...if you have time for those, you have time to read. It's about making reading a priority.

4. Give books as gifts. When you give someone a book as a gift, you're saying to them, I think this is special and I want you to have it. Wrap your books in the prettiest papers you can find. Embellish them with ribbons and bows. For a friend's baby shower, we asked every invitee to bring their favorite children's book. I made bookmarks with book quotes and each person signed one, placed it in their book and put the book in a clothes basket we bought. She had a ready-made library for her twins before they were even born. It was her favorite gift.

5. Support your libraries and local book stores. Don't take these places for granted. Many of our nation's libraries need your help in supporting legislation to keep them open. Use your libraries and stand up for them as well.

6. Talk about books! Talk about books with your children, your colleagues, your friends. Spread the word about good books you've read. Instead of talking about American Idol or Dancing with the Stars over the water cooler, how about talking about the latest Hurwitz, Conroy or Picoult. While I was having a pedicure the other day, I had the greatest book conversation with the lady next to me and both of our pedicurists. It was wonderful!

7. Display your books. Keep them out where people can see them, touch them, READ them. Leave books in your guest room for visitors. Be proud of your love of books and show that by making them a loving part of your home. And for goodness sake, have books your kids can touch and read. If you have small children, leave board books in a place they can get to them. Books were written to be read. Don't treat them like museum pieces. If that's what they are, leave them in the museum and buy books you can read!

O.k. your turn. Add to my list. What else can we do to encourage a love of reading each and every day?