That's right! It’s INTERGALACTIC BUY A KID A BOOK DAY! Yessssssssss!
(Okay, not really. It’s just birthday, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it.)
The steps are simple:
1. Choose a kid.
Preferably a kid who doesn’t have access to books or is a hesitant reader. But any kid will do.
2. Buy that kid a book.
Consider that kid’s tastes and then talk to librarians/booksellers/bookish parents to try and figure out what story they would most enjoy.
EXPLORE OUTSIDE OF BESTSELLERS. We all love Roald Dahl and J.K. Rowling and Eric Carle and the rest of those cool cats, but kids will absorb these stories through osmosis anyway. There are some searingly wonderful stories out there you haven’t discovered yet.
3. READ THAT BOOK YOURSELF
This step is important. Not only will it give you insight into what kids are reading these days, but you’ll also be able to discuss the story with the kid afterward. This is a rad thing.
Also, and I say this with zero hyperbole, but there are puh-LENTY of kids books out there with plots and emotional complexity that are light-years more mature than a lot of the swill we’re letting adults read.
If you want to give the kid a pristine copy of the book, then you might need to buy two copies or head to the library or get purchase silk gloves for delicate page turning.
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. And be careful. You might enjoy yourself.
4. Give the book to the kid.
Wrap it if you wanna.
5. Discuss the book with the kid if and when they choose to read it.
Don't be one of those adults who pesters a kid about whether they're using your present or not. They'll read it when they're good and ready. Maybe never. The more research you do beforehand, the more likely they are to pick it up and flip through it.
THAT’S IT.
The steps are so simple! No wonder INTERGALACTIC BUY A KID A BOOK DAY has survived for the last six centuries and didn’t just start today.
Check out my list of book recommendations below, and please PLEASE post your own favorites in the comments.
Happy adventuring.
CMH
Recommended books for kids:
This year's theme is graphic novels. What better way to hook reluctant readers?
1. Roller Girl by Victoria Jameison
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504701-roller-girl
2. Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24612531-space-dumplins
3. El Deafo by Cece Bell
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20701984-el-deafo
4. Cardboard by Doug TenNapel
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13356190-cardboard
5. Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18527488-target-practice
See you next year!
(And probably before then.)