10 Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Your Child

It’s as true today as when they first coined the phrase, “Reading is Fundamental”. Reading quality material is exercise for the mind. Whether it’s Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” or just another edition of “The Twilight Saga”, children will reap amazing benefits from spending time with you, reading.

We all know it to be true so why is it so hard to get our children to do it? Well, hopefully this list of suggestions will prove useful. Here are a few things you can do as parents to help your kids develop a love of reading.

1. Read to your child often.

Select a time when you won't be hurried or bothered by other concerns. Find a nice comfortable place and remove time limits from your mindset. You will find that both of you become so immersed in the experience that time will fly by.

2. Find the books with topics they enjoy reading

Ask your child about the subjects that interest them and find good books on those topics. You might be tempted to choose books you feel will best educate them, but then it's work, not fun. This does not mean you allow your child to read whatever book they choose with out regard to maturity level or content, but by allowing them to select books that interest them they will learn the joy of reading.

3. Have a variety of reading materials

Sometimes, as parents, we feel we must control all aspects of our children's environment. By having a variety of reading options, (novels, comic books, magazines, electronic reading devices, etc...) your child will feel they are in control. For an adolescent that is one of the greatest needs they have.Try showing a genuine interest in subjects that interest your children and offer to read it with them. Or perhaps ask them to read to you from their particular selection. It might take you out of your comfort zone but the experience will reinforce how important reading is to you and thus to your child.

4. Allow your child to select easy reading options

Remember, your goal is not to guarantee your child will become the next Albert Einstein. You are trying to foster a love of reading. Reading about the adventures of "Spiderman" is no less valuable than reading some work you deem loftier.

If your child doesn't enjoy it, the point is lost.

5. Get your child a library card

Hey, they're free! How many things in life can you say that about? I remember my first library card. I felt as though I had the whole world at my feet. Make it a point to go to the library together. Show them how to find books and have fun browsing the fun categories they are interested in. You could make it a date night with ice cream after.

6. Have your child help you read while shopping or other activities

This was always an easy one for me because I usually forgot my glasses (A handy way to get your kids to help). Ask your kids to read the labels for your or to find the areas in the store by reading the directional signs. You can make a game out of it. Have a shopping list and race to see who can get the correct items first.

7. Play games that foster vocabulary skills

We began this tradition when our children were young. Now, even though they are adults with kids of their own, they still love coming home and playing word games. There are so many fun word games you can play together. Plan ahead as you take vacations or road trips. Play games in the car. One of my children's favorite travel games is the ABC game. We first select a category, such as animals, plants, or cities and then each of us takes a turn thinking of an answer as we work our way through the alphabet.

8. Place magnetic letter boards around the house

They have so many uses. Your kids can leave messages as to where they are going and how long they will be gone. Have competitions to see who can spell the longest words or who can leave the funniest message. Word play will go a long way to foster a love of language and reading in your children.

9. Encourage your children to use journals

Often we would give fun journal and pencil sets as Christmas gifts. I was always surprised at how well these gifts were received. Today we live in such an electronic age that the skill of writing is virtually disappearing. LOL and BFF are replacing the beauty of the written word. Providing journals, diaries, stationary and notebooks will encourage your kids to stretch their minds and they might just enjoy it as well.

10. Have your kids read the newspaper to you

While you are doing something quiet, have your children read interesting articles from the newspaper. Perhaps they can even find news events on their electronic devices and read those. If your child is shy or uncomfortable reading aloud simply have them read the article and explain it to you in their own words. Ask probing questions that show your level of interest in what they are saying while simultaneously demonstrating their reading comprehension. Soon you will find they come to you often with exciting world events or current news. Don't ever force the issue however. It should always be the child's choice.

There are many more Ideas and ways to achieve the end goal of boosting reading enjoyment. The point is to do something. I remember watching my children as they would find a good book and become immersed in it. I would cringe at times as they read some material but ultimately they would choose works that would elevate them. While electronic gadgets are wonderful, playing Halo for hours on end will do little to build a young mind. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for such activities. The goal is to foster a greater love of the written word. I hope these tips have helped. For a complete listing of more helpful tips, check out these links:

Ten Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students

The Benefits of reading

Improve reading for children ages 6 - 18

And as always, don't forget to check out all the great Living Science Readers at The Gumshoe Archives. Til next time, happy reading.

Detective Andy Spencer's Favorite Recipes

Favorite Recipes - Jacob Literary

Chef Andy

Everyone knows what a world traveler Andy Spencer is. He's been to the deepest darkest jungles of Africa, to the wilds of Oregon and he even spent some time in India.

Combine that with the fact that he is a connoisseur of fine foods and you can imagine how vast his recipe book must be. Well now for the first time ever, Andy is sharing his best kept secret recipe's with the world in a segment we call:

The Gumshoe Recipe Archives

Andy is extremely excited to share this first recipe with his faithful fans. He found this recipe while traveling through Asia in the lower region of Korea. So here is the first installment.

Korean Word

Bool Gogi

This is a favorite for many people. Translated into english this dish is called "Fire Meat". While the world romanized the word out as Bool - Gogi, phonetically it is more correct to sound it out like this: (Pool - Ko - Gee). The first letter is actually a combination of the B sound and the P sound Like a cross between saying Bumble bee and Pool. Anyway, enough with the Korean lessons, on to the recipe.

Ingredients

1 lb - Flank Steak

4 - Cloves of Garlic

2 - Green Onions (include the green tops if desired)

1 cup - Soy Sauce

1/3 cup - Sugar

1/4 Tsp - Fresh grated ginger root

6 Tsp - Prepared Sesame seeds (See Method Below)

1/4 Tsp - Red Pepper

1/3 Cup - Red wine, or Cooking Sherry, or Saki (Your choice)

Marinade Preparation

Begin by adding Soy sauce, Sugar and cooking sherry to a large bowl. Stir solution to mix and set aside. Using a garlic press, add the pressed garlic cloves. Cut the Green onions being sure to include the green stem portions. Stir mixture and then add the rest of the ingredients and set to the side.

Slice the flank stake into thin slices approximately 1/8th inch by 2 inches. This is important. If the slices of flank steak are to thick the marinade will not adequately permeate the beef and the flavor will not be a robust, and that's what we are looking for.

After slicing the flank steak add it to the marinade mixture, and using a fork, kneed the mixture to ensure that all the meat is well covered with the marinade. I like to repeat this process every 15 minutes. Allow the meat to marinade for at least one hour for maximum taste.

An hour has passed and you and your intended guests are adequately salivating profusely so it's time to cook this feast. There are several different methods for doing this.

Method 1. You can place the complete marinade mixture, (DO NOT DRAIN THE MEAT), on a large cookie sheet that is 1/2 inch deep and place it on the barbecue. I love this method. I use a combination of hickory wood chip coals and hickory charcoal Briquettes to achieve a nice hot smokey cooking surface. Place the cookie sheet on the hot coals and allow it to cook for 10 to 15 minutes then, using a spatula, turn the meat over to allow the other side to cook completely. Now, using a colander, Drain the marinade and juices into a bowl and set aside. (You can discard this if you wish but by adding a few tablespoons of flour and cooking it on the stove you can make a yummy gravy, or just use it as is as a sort of Au Jus sauce.)

Method 2. Place mixture in a shallow cookie sheet as in previous example and set your oven to Broil at 500 degrees. Place the rack as close to the top of the oven as you can. Place the cookie sheet on the rack and remember to leave the oven open about 1/4. This will keep the heating coils hot. Allow the meat to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, checking often. Rotate the meat to ensure even cooking throughout. The meat should not be pink but also should not be burned, Duh! When finished, take out of oven and let stand for a few minutes before separating out the Marinade.

Makes about 6 servings

Sesame Seed Preparation

- Using a non stick frying pan, place about 2 cups of sesame seeds in the pan and set the heat to medium high. Do not grease the pan or use any type of oil. You just want the dry seeds in the pan. As the pan heats the seeds will begin to pop. Using a wooden spoon or a spatula, continually agitate and move the seeds so that they are toasted evenly. You'll know they are done when they have a nice golden brown color, approaching dark brown. After they have toasted sufficiently, remove them from the pan and place them on a surface that will allow you to use a roller pin.

- Using a rolling pin, roll back and forth as you exert as much force as you can on the seeds. Continue doing so until they crush into a fine powder. You will need to scrap the crushed seed off of the rolling pin periodically. Continue this process until the majority of the seed are now a fine brown powder.

- I like to make up alot at one time and then save the unused portion in an empty herb jar or some other container. That way I don't have to go through this process every time I want a meal. There you have it.

Serving suggestions

While this recipe stands on it's own, there are a few ways to add some zest to your meal. Here are a few suggestions.

One of our families favorite ways to serve this is with plain white rice, Kimchi, and a bit of salad to top it off.

You can add bits of onion and carrot to the rice and then top it off with a fried egg.

How about some egg drop soup with your meal Yummy. Okay, enough of that I'm getting hungry.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and that you will stop by and visit Andy Spencer and the gang. While you're at it, why not take a moment and sign up for our newsletter. You'll get a free book as our way of saying thank you. Remember to leave your email address in our double opt in process. Here's the Web link.

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A Few Fun Science Activities for Parents and Children

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A Few Fun Interactive Science Activities for Parents and Children

The Magically Inflating Balloon

This activity teaches children about the properties of Matter, gasses, liquids and solids and comes from the 3rd book in The Gumshoe Archives 5th grade children's science reading series, The Mutant Professor.

Before we begin there are a few things you need to round up. Here is a short list.

Supplies Needed:

1. Vinegar

2. Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)

3. Balloon

4. Spoon

5. Small Funnel

6. Small necked Bottle (Go get a Jones Soda from the Store, Bonus!)

Okay, now that we have what we need, let's get started. There are basically three Steps.

Step 1 - Place the empty bottle on a flat surface (Preferably outside).

Using the funnel, carefully pour the vinegar into the bottle until it is approximately

1/4 of the way full and set to the side.

Step 2 - Now take the deflated balloon and using the funnel, carefully pour 2

to three teaspoons of baking soda into the open end. (Note: If you are unable

to find a funnel you can use a sheet of paper rolled into a cone). You might have to jiggle the balloon to get the soda to fall into the bottom.

Step 3 - Now, while keeping the deflated part of the balloon containing the soda draped over the side of the bottle, stretch the open end of the balloon over the bottle opening, making sure to fully cover it with the balloon. Finally, raise the balloon above the bottle to allow the contents to slide into the vinegar. The solution will begin to bubble and fizz and your balloon will magically rise.

This miracle occurs because of the laws of physics. The gas molecules are less dense, requiring much more space than the solid/liquid solution. As the soda reacts with the vinegar, carbon dioxide is formed, which begins to fill the empty area of the bottle. Just like water filling a jar, so it is with the carbon dioxide gas. The gas flows into the balloon, pushed by the force of the expanding gas. Cool stuff eh? Don't worry, the carbon Dioxide gas is harmless, in fact it's what they use to put the fizz in carbonated drinks. Woo Hoo!

Build Your Own Compass At Home

In this activity we will harness the power of the earth's gravitational fields. Magnetism is one of the coolest things on our planet and it's the subject matter for the 2nd book in the 5th grade science reading series entitled, The Haunted Castle.

Okay, as before, we will need to gather a few things. They should be readily available around your house. Maybe the magnet might be a stretch but you can usually find them cheap at the dollar store. Here's the list.

Supplies Needed:

1. A shallow dish or saucer

2. A piece of cork (Round and about 1/2 inch thick)

3. A magnet (Don't use your refrigerator magnets, it should be a bit bigger.)

4. A large needle or long metal nail

5. Some Scotch tape

6. Some water for the bowl or saucer

Do you have all the stuff? Okay, let's get rocking and rolling.

Step 1 - First you need to magnetize the needle or metal rod. While holding the needle, gently move the magnet along the metal surface for about 15 seconds. Make sure that you move the magnet in one direction only, don't move it back and forth. Pretend the magnet is the knife and you are whittling a block of wood. (See Illustration)

Step 2 - Now tape the needle to the piece of cork. For fun you can place a label on the plate or saucer indicating North. Put enough water in the saucer to allow the cork to float freely.

Now sit back and watch mother nature do her thing. The magnetized needle should begin to move and align itself with the nature polar north of the earth. If it doesn't do anything than you might want to check and make sure your needle is not made of aluminium as it will not hold a magnetic charge if it is. Perhaps using a long nail might be a better alternative.

Yes, now that I think of it, a nail would be much better, use the nail. So there you have it. Two fun activities that will allow you to bond with your child as you learn some awesome science. There will be more fun activities in future posts so be sure and check back often. Science is all around us and it is awesome.

Please check out all the great books in The Gumshoe Archives series by visiting our website. Just click the link below and please let your friends know as well. These are fun interactive detective stories that also teach children key science concepts. Thanks for reading this and sharing it with your friends.

Time for Meet The Stars!

"Hello, and welcome again to another episode of Meet the Stars. I'm your host, Bruce Bogsly and during this segment we're going to get up close and personal with The Stars!"

Bruce paused to allow the audience to comply with the written cue cards that announced the word, "Applause" and then he continued,

"Tonight's guest is none other than Mr. Crackticus Pott who has been featured in such prominent books as Chitty Chitty clang a lang, From here to nowhere and of course, most recently the new detective thriller, The Haunted Castle, The second book in the 5th grade series of The Gumshoe Archives by author Robert E. Jacob. But enough of that, lets get up close and personal with the Stars!".

There is another thunderous applause from the audience as Bruce flashed a toothy smile and then continued,

"Please welcome, Crackticus Pott."

A short pudgy man with wild red hair and a flaming red beard came from offstage and sat next to Bruce, who said,

"Thank you for joining us, it's quite an honor to meet you Mr. Pott."

Mad Scientist featured in Book 2 of the 5th grade reading series of The Gumshoe Archives.

"It's Potts, Crackticus Potts and thanks for having me."

"Well, Mr. Potts. Tell us a little about yourself."

The odd little man sat back in his chair as he crossed one leg over the other, obviously relishing the spotlight.

"Well, I was born in this small town on the east coast, just outside of Hopalupa Maine. I was a normal kid, chasing parked cars, eating paint chips, running through the house with scissors, that sort of thing. I got my training in the arts at Warner Brothers school for the gifted. I learned at the feet of such greats as Wiley Coyote, Foghorn Leghorn, and Sylvester the cat, just to name a few. I guess you could say I was classically trained in the craft of acting."

There was a sudden sound of booing and hissing from the audience at the mention of Mr. Potts' contemporaries. He stopped and shot the audience a cold stare that froze them in their seats. That's not hyperbole folks, they actually turned to ice. Pog's jaw dropped in stunned silence.

"Quite down ya riff raff. Don't make me come up there, cause I will", shouted Crackticus. Slowly the audience began to thaw and return to their former selves. Mr. Potts continued,

"Now, where was I? Ah yes, as I was saying, it was a glorious time for me. Mind you I didn't actually train along side these great characters, but I was there. Occasionally, they would speak to me. They would utter gentle words of encouragement as I labored at my craft. I can still hear their heartfelt comments."

Crackticus stopped briefly to wipe away a tear, then continued,

"I can hear their voices as if it were yesterday. 'Don't forget to pick up the trash in the hall', one would say. 'You missed a spot you jerk', another would lovingly call.

They were trully concerned about me as a person, ya know? Just down to earth joes", said Mr. Potts as he wiped another tear from his eye.

Bruce shot a bewildered glance at his producer who simply waved his finger in a circle indicating he should just keep going. Bruce adjusted his position, cleared his throat and said,

"So have you always wanted to be a character actor in a children's book?"

Crackticus threw back his head and laughed.

"Oh that's rich, Is that what you think? That I was just a character in some book? I was the lead, the star, I made the story work. Look bub, there are those meant for mediocrity and those bound for greatness, and uh, well... I just wanted to say that. Anyway, I hold myself to a very high standard. However, to answer your question, yes I have always wanted to shape and mold young minds.

I was doing quite well at it too, until they caught me, shaping young minds that is. Turns out you really can't shape that stuff very well. I'm not sure why people are always advocating that. It's actually kind of gross and messy and..."

Bruce interrupted,

"Uh, yes let's move on shall we. So tell us what your first real break was?"

"Well, I think it was my arm. Happened when I fell off that dad blame moon. They were always telling me, 'Shoot for the Moon!' So I found an old cannon, loaded it with enough TNT to blow up Manhatten, and I aimed the barrel for the moon. Turns out cannons aren't designed for that much expolosive power. Luckily I escaped with only a broken arm and 3rd degree burns over 90 percent of my body but hey, show business ain't easy. Anyway, that 's when I had an epiphany of sorts."

"Oh, what revelation did you recieve", asked Pog?

"Revelation, what in the Sam Hill are you talking about. I said I had A Piffiny, It's a great dish with salamander hearts and gizzards of a buzzard. You should try some, it'll put hair on yer... uh, never mind. Well about this time my life really started to take a nose dive."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Things were pretty rough eh", asked Pog?

"Rough? Heck no, I love nose dives, especially off of a tall building. That's how I made a living. Those saps loved to see a dare devil and that's what I was. I'd jump off a 600 story building into a small bucket of water. It was a real gas."

"I'd think that a bit dangerous. How did you survive."

"I didn't, that's why I needed the gas", said Mr. Potts. "You see, I'd hit that bucket so hard that my head would get wedged in tight, a little trick I learned from Wiley Coyote. They'd just shoot a little gas in the bottom, light a match and Ka-Blooey!. Off came the bucket, course most of my hair as well, but it grows back right?"

Bruce let out a heavy sigh, not sure if he really wanted to continue but the producer was grinning from ear to ear as he motioned to continue.

"So Mr. Potts. How did you come to be featured in The Gumshoe Archives?"

"Well, It was at a time in my life when I was really on the skids."

"Oh, so you took to skiing?"

Cracticus flashed Bruce an look of incredulity,

"What's wrong with you boy? I weren't no skier, I was down on my luck. Hard times, I say hard times boy. (Sorry for the random Foghorn Leghorn reference, It just happened.) I was selling myself as a dart throwing target at some sleazy dive down town when this guy offered me a bucket full of money to be in his book, so I..."

"Well that's all the time we have for this show. Thanks for joining us Crack Pott.."

"Hey, the names Crackticus Potts..."

"Yes I'm sure it is, and thanks again. For all the folks here at meet the stars, this is Bruce Bogsly saying, If you need a star we've got em coming out our ears. Good Night!"

"But wait, don't you want to hear about my..."

The lights shut down and poor Crackticus Potts was left alone pleading for more time. I guess you'll just have to read the book to find out what happens to him next. Happy reading!

What's a Gumshoe?

I was having an interesting conversation the other day with someone. "What do you do", I was asked. Hmm, Well I breath, eat, sleep and occasionally try not to get mowed down by the next door neighbor's teenage kid driving like a maniac, was my response. "No, I mean what do you do for a living?" Ah, there's the rub. I hate that question. After all I am over fifty (I'll leave it to your imagination to guess how much over fifty) and at this stage in my life I should be well established in my career and preparing for that glorious retirement, the golden years. Unfortunately, I also suck at being an employee. Trust me, I have tried on numerous occasions and, well... it just isn't me.

After having spend the better part of my working life as a self employed working stiff, the whole do as I say thing just doesn't work for me. The problem is that being self employed is anything but stable. I had it good for many years, don't get me wrong but there are no certainties in life and continuation of business viability is high on that uncertain list.
I suddenly realize that I have been mulling these thoughts over in my head and the poor guy asking the question has been twiddling his thumbs. I'm sure he is dying from the anticipation of what my response might be. Hmm, What do I do? So with no small amount of trepidation I respond that I am a writer. Invariably the next thing out of the person's mouth is a sense of surprise. Whether this acclamation is mock or genuine is hard to discern. For Ego's sake I'll pretend they are truly impressed. Unfortunately, their overwhelming admiration eventually gives way to the next question. "So what have you written?" I respond with, "I write children's books, you know detective stories that teach science."

"How interesting", comes the reply. The the mother of all annoying questions suddenly bears its unholy head, "How many have you sold?" Aaagggghhhhh!

Now I have two choices, I can tell the truth and come to grips with how pathetic my life has become, or I can lie my nethermost parts off and hope they don't see through the waist deep level of bull excrement dribbling from my lips. I have tried the latter response but I always come away feeling a false sense of accomplishment, duh. So I respond, "Well I've sold a few but..." Then I usually follow it up with about five minutes of justifying rational as to why I am not yet a best selling author. I don't think people understand just how difficult it is to pursue your dreams...

Wow, this article has taken a turn for the depressing, sorry. Let me get back to the point of my ramblings. How many of you know what a Gumshoe is? I'm just curious because my children's book series is entitled, "The Gumshoe Archives", and I have this gnawing fear that people are going to think these are books about chewing gum. bubble-gum-438404_640 Or Worse yet they are going to equate it to this picture. Well, please allow me to expand your mental horizons. Back when I was young, and dinosaurs still roamed the earth, a slang term to describe a detective was "Gumshoe". No it does not mean that while solving cases they stored their used chewing gum on the sole of their feet. The term actually came about because of the shoes many of them wore. They had a yellowish orange sole that was very rubbery and soft. They called them gum rubber soles, or something like that.

They were the preferred footwear because they were extremely quiet and one could sneak around undetected. I think around the early 1900's they came to be synonymous with police detectives. So now you know. Hey, gotta run. I think I hear one of those pesky detectives skulking around outside. Till next time. Happy reading, and if you are absolutely bored and need to waste some time, drop by our store on the web at Jacob Literary. You can see the Gumshoe archives for yourself. You'll be glad you did, or maybe mildly happy, or perhaps extremely pissed off that you wasted five minutes, either way it's bound to be a time.