Give children books as gifts.

 

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The Gift That Keeps on Giving
For birthdays and holidays, give your children books, just as you would a toy. Everything is more exciting dressed in wrapping paper and a bow.

Thom says, from a parenting perspective, it's as crucial to show children the importance of reading as it is to tell them. "One way to show them is by making a book into a gift, which they already know is something of great value," he says. "We know kids having access to things to read is critically important to kids loving [reading]. Surround them."

The more enthusiasm you show about the book, the more they'll appreciate the gift they've received. Think about the stories you loved as a child. Write a personal note on the inside cover so your children understand how much this book means to you. If you cherish it, they probably will too.

And when your kids do receive a book as a gift, Nancy suggests keeping the book in a special place. Especially at a young age, kids are interested in anything—and everything—that belongs to them alone.