Encourage Reading with a Book Allowance

I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to put books in the hands of young readers and I hope you give this idea some thought.

Do your children get an allowance? How about offering them a book allowance?

This would be money that your kids use just to buy books. If finances allow, it would be great if this wasn't tied to chores. Let them earn their "fun" money - the money they use for music, video games, movies, etc. Think about it, you give them money for important things such as lunch, clothes, shoes - why not books? If you encourage them to buy a book, whether or not they've "earned" it, they will understand that reading IS important.

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." — Jacqueline Kennedy