Kids have the unflawed mental attitude to get preoccupied in the pleasure of a good book. Books for kids are ultimately the inspiration for healthy imaginative play, long term reading skills, and even the springboard for theoretical conversation at the dinner table. While kids are often on the go and don't take the time to slow down for a good read, introducing your kids to the joy of reading a good book isn't as insurmountable as it seems. A little creativity on the parent's behalf, and you will have a budding reader reluctantly putting their book down to move onto life's other demands.
Books for kids help to develop their already active imaginations. There really is no such thing as an unimaginative child, just kids with varying imaginative qualities. While one child might be able to imagine underwater cities and create friends from thin air, other children might be conjuring up the next Windows application or mentally developing the technology to hook up 12 gaming systems to a single television without ever unplugging a system again. Developing your child's unique imagination through books starts with what they are already showing you on a daily basis.
The reasonable argument for enticing kids to read books that are outside of their element includes expanding their horizons. Of course, over time, that's a fabulous idea. For the immediate enticement stage, it is more likely to be a successful venture if kids are reading books that interest them from the title to the back cover. Let them choose their own books. Nearly all American children's presses are highly selective about child and young adult reading material. Children who read age appropriate books are not likely to run into objectionable material. However, parents can usually read a thick young adult book in a few hours if there is any concern relating to material.
For the obstinate television watching child, a family reading hour is a great way to entice your children to read books. Start small. Give the entire family a half an hour to read their book and then twenty minutes or so to talk about what they are reading. Chances are, by the end of the first week, the kids will be requesting a few more minutes to finish their chapter or will even take the book into their bedroom to continue after family reading hour has concluded. Younger children will benefit from being read to from books for kids.
Books for kids that stay within their vocabulary limits (with a few challenges for good measure) are more likely to hold their attention than books written on an adult level with language that is too hard for children to grasp. An over achiever may want to break out Shakespeare at the age of eight, but they are not likely to get much out of it, even if they won't admit it. If children are being read to, it is acceptable to bump up the language a notch or two, as children can often hear the language used and understand it much faster than if they are trying to read it and comprehend it.
Finding books for kids that they will love and you will enjoy having them read can be easily done online. Bookstores are great for titles that are unknown and new authors. Online bookstores often carry out of print books, significantly reduced books, and books that are a little ?out of the way? and unique for the hard to please child. Online book selections are easier for parents to determine than for kids. Often kids need more than a page of text to know whether they think the book is perfect or not. Encouraging them to read a series of books for kids can keep them reading for a long time, and then the habit will be well established and moving onto the next title is simple.
Books for kids have a lot of competition these days. Television with 24 hour a day, 7 days a week cartoon and specialized children's programming, computer games, video games, gadgets that fit in their pocket, DVD players in the car, and there's probably a few kids out there with electronic gizmos on their bikes are all competing for a kid's attention. Turning them into an avid books for kids lover takes a little disciplined creativity at first. Rules about the electronic gadgets and gizmos can help establish reading time and story time before bed (what kid doesn't want to delay bedtime?) can help offset the chronic competition that books for kids face. Parents who love to read are more likely to have kids who love to read. Parents who can at the very least appreciate the books for kids and delve into a book for an hour a day can teach their children to love books. Parents who read to their kids help establish a great vocabulary, better communication skills, and have a marvelous and special bond centered around some very special books for kids.
How To Find Books
That's from the book, High Visibility. And its lesson to authors is clear, nothing can spotlight your book faster than good publicity.
But how do you find a publicist that best fits you and your book? Here are ten easy rules to follow:
1. Publicists often specialize in different genres of books (e.g., non-fiction, fiction, children's books, religious titles, etc.). So, if your book is religious, find a firm that specializes in religious media as they'll have the strongest contacts and will know which shows and publications represent the best exposure for you. Same holds true for fiction publicists, children's books, etc.
2. If your book has a very unique subject or audience -- e.g. charitable giving, or secrets of the cable TV industry, etc. -- it's unlikely you will find a publicist who specializes in just that topic. Instead, you'll want a publicist who will take the time to familiarize themselves with your topic or book and will craft a campaign to match your special needs.
3. Find a publicist who specializes in the medium of choice for your book. Not every publicist is a master at every medium. Many publicists specialize in one medium and will refer business to other specialists when it's best for their client. So, if for example you've written a book on fashion or photography - the best exposure for your book would obviously be print or TV, as they're both visual mediums. In this case, you want a publicist who procures print and TV placements on an ongoing basis.
4. Ask for sample campaigns. Sure, it will be the publicist's best foot forward, but a sample will still demonstrate their skill and proficiency at obtaining media.
5. Along with reviewing sample campaigns, speak to past clients, too, if you have the slightest hesitation about engaging their services.
6. Find a firm whose fees are in range with other firms. No need to find the most expensive because they have a fancy address in a major metropolitan city.
7. And speaking of fees - in the book industry you'll find many publicists who work on a performance or project basis. This is not at all common with PR firms in other industries, and an opportunity you want to take advantage of. So, steer clear of monthly retainer based firms.
8. Get past a prospective PR firm's sales hype and find the firm you feel will get the job done. The problem an author can run into is the sales person they speak with and build confidence in, is not always the person who will be handling their campaign. So, don't be shy about asking who will be writing your press releases and who will be pitching you to the media. Find out how long they've been with the firm. Ask what their level of experience is. After all the time, money and hard work you invested in writing your book, you want to make sure your campaign isn't being delegated to a rookie out of college.
9.In your search for the right publicity firm, don't just talk to local agencies. Especially if you're looking for regional or national reach. Virtually none of the work with your publicist will require "face time", so just look for the best ... period!
10. One last point - find a firm that has an understanding of your topic and an enthusiasm for your message! Their determination alone can often be the driving force behind prime media placements for you.
So think about it: Nothing can get your book more visibility than the right publicist!
Both Jane Steznowskis & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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