For children ages 2 to 6
Starting a home library for your child shows her how important books are. Having books of her own in a special place boosts the chance that your child will want to read even more.
What You Need
Books from bookstores, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and sales at your local library
A bookcase, a cardboard box, or other materials to make a place for books
What to Do
Pick a special place for your child's books so that she knows where to look for them. A cardboard box that you can decorate together might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family bookshelves and make a special place for her to put her books.
Help your child to arrange her books in some order—her favorite books, books about animals, holiday books. Use whatever method will help her most easily find the book she's looking for.
Borrow books from your local library. (See "Visiting the Library.") Go to the children's section and spend time with your child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her special place. You might even have a box or space just for library books, so that they don't get mixed up with your child's own books.
Encourage family members and friends to give books to your child as presents for birthdays and other occasions.
When you and your child make your own books, you can add them to your home library. (For ideas on how to make books, see "As Simple as ABC," and "Write On!")
