How to inspire a love of reading in children

I would wholeheartedly agree with all the previous answers. Children learn by example, and they see you reading, they will want to do the same. I am a nanny, and when the baby was younger, I would do some reading as he played with his toys. As he has grown older, (he's only 18 months now), he'll grab a book (one of his own), and sit with me and we'll "read" together for over 30minutes at times. He turns his pages and looks at the pictures. Sometimes I read from my book to him -- one of his first words was "book"! It's really encouraging to see him love books so much, and I think he will continue to love them as he gets older.

As far as good books go -- you can find them anywhere. I stop by Thrift stores often to browse through their children's books. You can buy some and read them when you get home, and since they're usually only 10 cent or so, it's no great loss if you decide not to use some for your children. The "if you give a mouse a cookie" is really cute. The Bernsteins bears --entertaining, yet usually containing some moral. As the child gets older, series are always great to get them involved in -- Babysitter Club, Boxcar Children, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew.

If multiculturalism is important to you, this is a great time to start introducing different cultures and races through picture book such as "I love my hair", "The Color of Us", etc.

Happy Reading!