A Little Night Reading
Encourage literacy and stimulate children's book sales by promoting Family Reading Night
By Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2006
The practice of celebrities authoring children's books is nothing new. But designer, entrepreneur, and children's book author Kathy Ireland has gone the trend one step better, using her celebrity status to advocate literacy and family togetherness. In partnership with her publisher, Publications International, Ireland launched a Family Reading Night initiative in November 2005 at New York's specialty toy retailer FAO Schwarz.
The idea behind a Family Reading Night is simple: It encourages parents to set aside one night a week when the family gets together to read. By setting an example and encouraging their kids to read early on, parents help nurture habits that develop into a life-long love of reading, and contribute to kids' success in school and beyond. Family Reading Night is also a good way for families to get back to the basics of spending time together without the distractions of TV, computers, or any other of the modern media.
Family Reading Nights are a perfect promotion opportunity for the specialty gift retailer. After all, books blend easily into the gift mix, and no children's gift area is complete without them. A specialty gift store with a good selection of well-chosen offerings is the ideal resource for book buyers who may not have the time to sort through the overwhelming number of choices at major book emporiums. Consider stocking a range of titles for young readers, with tales of adventure or lessons in history, nature, and other cultures.
To help you get started or update your offerings, here are a few good family reading ideas.
