Books and Magazines
Best-Selling Children's Books' Authors Give Tips To Inspire Young Readers
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Nov 15, 2005, 21:46

(NAPSI)-Inspiring a love of reading is one of the best gifts a parent can give a child. And who better to give advice on literary inspiration than the people who write the words we love to read? These five best-selling children's books' authors, whose books are featured by Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories, share their thoughts on how parents can encourage kids to become lifelong readers.

Teach from your own experience

"When I grew up and had my own children, I knew I wanted to pass on that reading torch. How? By following my parents' example. Because they had read to me, I read to my kids. Because they had filled their house with books, I filled my house with books. Because they had taken me to the library once, twice, even three times a week, I took my kids to the library once, twice, three times a week."

- Candace Fleming, author of "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!"

Enjoy the story you are reading (or telling)

"Take delight in the stories you read or tell your kids, don't force it and don't fake it. It's the joy that's infectious, and that instills a love of reading in a child. The corollary is to pick stories to share that you really do enjoy."

- Robert Kinerk, author of "Clorinda."

Create your own stories

"Write an ongoing story with an adult or another child. You can work on the book side-by-side or mail it back and forth-especially fun to do with grandparents, aunts or uncles. When two people alternate telling one story, with multiple doses of creativity at work, you never know how the story will end. Collaborative stories, part creative endeavor, part keepsake, can be kept on the bookshelf with the other books you read at bedtime."

- John Lithgow, Author of "I'm a Manatee."

Allow your imagination to wander while reading

"My mother used to tell me wonderful stories of her childhood in Puerto Rico, and my book, "No Dogs Allowed!" is based on my own childhood in New York City. Reading can take you to other places without even leaving your room!"

- Sonia Manzano, author of "No Dogs Allowed!"

Make reading a part of your daily routine

"My husband and I joke that we've been reading to our son since before he was born, and it's become an important part of our daily routine. Our reading time together has laid an important foundation that helps us keep the right perspective on all those little skirmishes about brushing teeth and putting toys away. For us, reading time is family time, the most valuable time of all."

- Lauren Thompson, author of "Little Quack."

These authors' books will be given away free inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios, from November 2005 through January 2006, as part of the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. For the fourth year in a row, Cheerios is giving away five million books, and $500,000 to First Book, a national nonprofit that helps get books to children from low-income families.

Actor and best-selling children's book author John Lithgow reads from his book, "I'm a Manatee," one of five books featured free inside specially marked boxes of cereal through early 2006.

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