If every grandchild has not received at least one book, you must think again. It's not a matter of money, either. Perhaps you don't have a lot to spend. Perhaps the number of grandchildren keeps growing! Check the second hand bookstore for bargains, some almost new. I'm told the greatest success of a niece's third birthday was from such a store. She wears her parents out, demanding yet another reading of the "Hippopotamus story."

If you are lucky enough to have a very new member of the family, you can start almost immediately addicting her to books. As soon as she can be propped up on your lap, start showing her picture books. Read the story, too. Baby does not understand words yet, but will love the sound of your voice. When she gets big enough to reach, start using cardboard books. These indestructible wonders can join Baby on her floor blanket, and be housed in the toy box. They will be picked up, found unchewable, and eventually a page or two will be turned. Success! The addiction has begun. Keep on reading aloud, especially at bedtime. Nothing soothes a hyper child like a warm bath, a cuddle, and a story.

There's a wealth of books available. Some of the newest ones are hardcover editions, gorgeously illustrated. You may want to indulge in one of those, which will be a "keeper." Others, at a bargain price, can be ordered through your bookseller. They are soft cover, but contain the original illustrations, and can be childproofed by putting scotch tape over each end of the covers. I have a shelf-full of these, old favourites ever new." Winnie the Pooh" in its original form, with E.H. Shepherd illustrations." Ferdinand"-- ditto. (Remember Ferdinand, the little bull who would not fight?) The McCloskey books, every new baby gets a copy of "Blueberries for Sal" or "Make Way for Ducklings," from me. Add to this the perennial favourite bedtime story "Goodnight Moon,"and you have begun to create a cherished library.

Never let a child destroy a book. Only cardboard books belong in the toy box. Others have their own place on a chosen shelf, and will be taken down to read and then put back, until the child can handle them carefully. Many children can do this by age three, turning the pages gently, and "Reading" the story to themselves. Others cannot. Don't rush it! Respect his/her time frame.

Parents or grandparents can make a restaurant visit palatable by bringing along a bag of books. Read aloud while waiting for the order. Take a bag of books to church, to the doctor's office, wherever quiet waiting is required. I used to get a hyperactive three-year old to take an afternoon rest by tucking her in with a pile of books. She "read" through the pile before her small feet were again heard on the floor! Meanwhile, I had a breather.

As the child outgrows picture books, and begins reading at school, don't stop reading aloud. Let the librarian or your friendly bookstore owner help you choose for older children. Take the kids to the library regularly. Let them choose their books. I found it clever to take out one Science book-birds and snakes are popular--or Art or Music book on my card. These can be "discovered" and will be looked through or carefully read. A lifetime interest may be discovered.

One series I always recommend is "The Little House" storybooks, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. But, don't miss the wonderful old charmers, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows, Kipling's wonderful "Just So Stories", Beatrix Potter's tiny storybooks, (start with Peter Rabbit.). And don't forget poetry! Graduate from Nursery Rhymes to Milne's "Now We Are Six", and "A Child's Garden of Verses". As you enjoy these with that Special Child, you'll find a whole new world opening for you both. (I'm looking forward to reading "The Little Prince" with a special seven-year-old.)

And by now you are filling a shelf in preparation for next Christmas!

January 2007-Dodi Morrison