Give the Gift of Reading – Book Giving Ideas

With the holidays just around the corner, you may be wracking your brain trying to think of the perfect gift for a well-loved child in your own life.  Or, maybe you would like to do something special for children in your community. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered with these book giving ideas!

Book-giving ideas:

• Consider starting a new tradition.

  Instead of a toy or other item, give a book to your own child, grandchild, or family-friend as a gift. Unwrapping the book is only half the fun! Cuddle up or get down on the floor with a child and read their brand new book to/with them. Don’t forget to write a personalized message in the front to make it a special memento! If you need ideas for good books, check out all the doctor-recommended books Raising Readers has given for every age group! Or, if you’re just looking for picture books, we have printable lists for your convenience.

• Add a children’s book to a Little Free Library.

  Little Free Libraries are popping up in communities around the country. Find one near you and leave a children’s book for a little one to find and love.

• Donate books to your local library.

  Call your local library to see if they take new or gently used book donations. If they don’t add it to their collection, they might include it in an upcoming sale to raise money for their organization.

• Donate books to local shelters.

  In the United States, two-thirds of children living in poverty do not have books to call their own. Donate a book to your local homeless or women’s shelter or a community based organization whose mission is to provide to those children in need.

• Donate books to your local food pantry.

  The Book Fairy Pantry Project is a grassroots family literacy movement based in Maine. Volunteer book fairy helpers collect new and gently used, quality children’s books from donation boxes and book drives. The helpers then deliver them to participating food pantries and WIC offices where they will be shared with families.

• Consider donating a book to an early childcare provider or school in your area.

  If they cannot use the book in their classroom collection, they will likely know of families who could benefit from adding them to their home libraries.

If you need book ideas for kids ages birth through five, click here to see the titles we’ve given to Maine children in the past.

Do you have any other ideas of ways to give the gift of books and reading? Share them with us on Facebook where other families can benefit from what you have to say!