Mama bear says think outside the book

This is Mama Bear checking in this week. Or at least someone who recently played her at the local mall. I made my world theatrical debut on Saturday morning, co-starring in a local Family Literacy Day performance of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.

The mall was so packed that I could hardly make my way to the coffee shop to grab a pre-performance cup of coffee, which very nearly made for a decidedly bearish Mama Bear. (I made the trek dressed as Mama Bear and earned more than a few "Have you no fashion sense?" stares from preschoolers.)

What brought out the crowds (other than the chance to see how badly a group of politicians and other locals could butcher a classic children's play) was the offer of free books (every child received one); free snacks; free face-painting; free entertainment (music, the play plus speeches from local politicians and dignitaries); free literacy information; and — last but not least — a warm place to take the kids in January for free.

Invest in Kids was on hand to officially launch Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Peterborough County (a program that provides a free book to newborns in a growing number of communities in Canada and the U.S.). And a number of other agencies provided helpful advice on helping kids to develop a life-long love of reading something that may involve thinking outside the book with kids who consider opening one to be a form of torture. Take another approach, they advise. Play board games, cook, act out scenes from plays and encourage your child to follow instructions for hobby and craft projects. These are all activities that involve reading.

Now over to you: Do your kids read as often as you'd like? If so, what do you think the secrets are to encouraging a love of reading? What has and hasn't worked in your family? How effective were the adults in your life in turning you on or off reading when you were growing up?

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