Raising a boy reader: Books On The Pillow

If there is one thing I want to pass on to our son, it's a love of reading. I don't care WHAT he's reading--I just want books to be the joy and comfort that they have always been to me. 

A key strategy in my Mama Mission: Books On The Pillow takes effect every time we are out of town. Each night, if Little Dude has been good that day (and so far, I have not judged any infraction so severe as to cancel Books On The Pillow for a night), he finds a new book on his pillow after he's brushed his teeth--and that is what we read for his bedtime story. I just picked up some books for an August vacation. There's Captain Underpants (up until now, unknown by him... yes, I am THAT brave a mother!), Curious George before he grows out of the monkey, two Toon Books (LOVE their early reader graphic novels), and some non-fiction about baseball heroes. And of course I'm throwing in a Star Wars book. I won't let him watch the movie but the kid could probably recite the plot of all 6 movies from the DK books that he devours. 

When we recently visited my family's cabin, he got a new Mo Willems early reader book (there it is on his pillow, in the photo!) and another Curious George book. He has a sort of "security book" tucked under that pillow too, one that he says helps him fall asleep if he holds it. IN THE TOWN ALL YEAR 'ROUND has logged a lot of miles in our suitcase. Too bad he didn't get attached to a little paperback book!

Little Dude LOVES getting a new book on his pillow each night. I think it makes him proud--that he's earned it--but he also simply loves the surprise factor. And I love having any excuse to buy a new book, as well as the chance to read something NEW for a change. Not that I don't love CHAMPIONS ON THE BENCH and SHARK VS. TRAIN but seriously, I need something new in my life. They've both been in heavy rotation in our house and they will not be coming on vacation with us! All new books... ahhhhh. Kid who relishes reading...MAMA MISSION TRIUMPH!