The ideal time to help a child develop a love of reading is when they are very young, but it is never too late to introduce a child to the wonder of books. It just requires a bit more imagination with an older child.

• Provide books and/or magazines on a favorite hobby, sport or interest.
• Offer older children the opportunity to read to younger siblings. This can be particularly helpful for children who are struggling as readers because the simpler stories enable them to practice their reading using materials that will allow them to feel successful.
• Connect reading to activities that will stimulate a desire to "read more about it" such as trips to museums, observatories, zoos, car shows, sporting events, etc.
• Remember that not all reading has to take place between the covers of a book. Read and discuss signs, maps, movie guides, newspaper articles, even comic strips.

Here are Friday's Famous Firsts: Do you know the title and author of these first lines from well-known children's books?

1. "Brian Robeson stared out the window of the small plane at the endless green northern wilderness below."

2."All children, except one, grow up."