There is no better way to help your children succeed in school--or in life--than to inspire in them a love of reading. But what if your kids don't like to read? How can you ensure they will succeed in today's text-driven culture and avoid major educational issues?

That's where National Children's Book Week can help. Celebrated since 1919, it is dedicated to spreading the word about popular children's books and encouraging the joys of reading. Every year during the week before Thanksgiving, schools and libraries applaud adolescent books and reading by coming up with ideas to mark this special event. This year, the Children's Book Council asked teachers and librarians in K12 grades to suggest ways communities and families can celebrate this event together. Here are some of their ideas.

Adolescent Activities Communities and Schools Can Host

  • Encourage kids and adults to dress up as characters from classic children's books.
    Put on plays, visit preschools, make a surprise appearance in the library. 
  • Have a poetry festival.
    Each child can read a favorite poem, or create one of his/her own.
  • Hold a story-writing contest.
    Can be done in school, or be sponsored by churches or libraries.
  • Institute amnesty for overdue library books.
    This one's my personal favorite--especially if the best excuse wins a prize!
  • Let books inspire arts and crafts projects.
    Have the kids make their own bookmarks, banners, quilts, posters, or maybe even a book.

Family Home Activities to Promote Reading

  • Share books.
    Read aloud together as often as you can. Even older children enjoy a good story. Read books just a little harder than children would read for themselves. Encourage them to ask questions about words or ideas they don't understand.
  • Launch a treasure hunt.
    Write and hide "literary" clues for the kids to find. For example, "Look near the object that Peter Pan's crocodile swallowed" (an alarm clock!).
  • Have an annual week of NO TV!
    Sign a pledge, wear a button, carry a sign: During Book Week, reading only, please.
  • Celebrate books and authors.
    Learn about an author a day, have an author birthday party, pick a favorite book to discuss for the week, arrange to visit a local author.
  • Organize games.
    Play book trivia question-and-answer, create book crossword puzzles or play Name That Book.
  • Take field trips.
    Visit local literary landmarks, the library or a new bookstore. 
  • Hold a cooking fest.
    Have fun making food mentioned in favorite stories, like Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs & Ham.

Elementary Reading Program Can Boost Reading Skills

Try one or two of these with your kids and see if it sparks a new interest in reading. And look for events at schools and libraries in your community. However, if your kids don't like to read because they find it very hard to do, then you might need more than inspiration.

Begin by working with the school. Insist that they assess your child to determine why he or she struggles with reading. Then ask what the school will do to help. Be specific. If the classroom teacher can't prescribe a well-conceived plan of action, it's time to involve others, like principals, reading specialists or tutors. Experts agree: Early intervention is the key to preventing a lifetime of frustration in learning. As a parent, you know and love your child best; don't give up until you find that key and make it work for your child.

Happy reading!