The other day I read this wonderful idea in the paper in the "Ask Amy" column. It was about a literacy campaign that she launched with the Family Reading Partnership called "A Book on Every Bed." The idea is to put a million books at the foot of a million beds for a million children on Christmas morning. What a WONDERFUL idea! It's a tradition I plan to start this year with my own children (two of which are well beyond the preschool years - but I think they will still get a kick out of it!) It is such a simple idea - and one that doesn't even need to cost anything - the book you give can be one that is passed down. Here is the idea:

Take a book.

Wrap it.

Place it on a child's bed so it's the first thing the child sees on Christmas morning (or whatever holiday you celebrate).

That's it.

"A Book on Every Bed" is an appeal to spread the love of reading from parents to children. As early educators we know that a love of literacy starts EARLY. Children who are exposed to books and stories while they are young will be more likely to have a love of reading throughout their life.

What can we do help to put a book on every bed?? If you work at a preschool or child care center, how about ....

     Holding a book swap with the families at your center

     Collecting used books in good condition and donating them to a women's shelter

     Organize a Scholastic book fair and take your profit in books to donate

DO YOU HAVE OTHER IDEAS?? Please share them!

VIDEO: Amy Dickinson and Sahela reading

Image credit: Amy Dickinson and the Family Reading Partnership