By Stephanie Vozza
AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER specializing
in spaces for kids, Jeanette Simpson made sure
her own children’s bedrooms were inviting and
cozy. But the most important piece of furniture
she added wasn’t the bed; it was the bookcase.
“Reading is important to my family, and
we have a shared library,” says the Nauvoo,
Illinois, mother of six. “But what made
books really special to my children when
they were young was starting their own per-
sonal libraries.”
An avid reader herself, Simpson helped
foster the love of reading in her children by
making books accessible. In addition to giv-
ing each child his or her own bookcase, she
placed age-appropriate books in baskets
throughout the house as well as stacked on
and near their nightstands.
“They were everywhere,” recalls Simpson,
whose youngest child graduated from high
school last year. “Children begin to develop a
lifelong love of reading while curled up on the
lap of a loved one. By providing relaxing read-
ing areas, you will encourage them to spend
time reading on their own.”
Janie McQueen, author of The New Magic
Bookshelf: Finding Great Books Your Child
Will Treasure Forever (Fine Lines Publishing,
2008), agrees and adds that a family can never
have too many books.
“Like toys, books can be overwhelming
and undervalued if presented all at once,” says
McQueen, a mother of four children aged 4 to
15. “While there’s nothing wrong with lining
bookshelves with your entire collection, par-
ents should put the most appropriate selec-
tions in easy reach so children can become
familiar with and savour the books that speak
to their age and interests.”
An Atlanta-area Costco member,
McQueen started her family library with the
books she loved as a child—including Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl—
and encourages parents to do the same.
“This is your literary legacy,” she says.
The next step is to take weekly outings to
the library. McQueen says kids should choose
ME
DI
A
B
A
KE
RY
Building a
family library
for your home
CONTINUED ON PAGE 54
The Costco Connection
Costco warehouses and Costco.ca carry
shelving, seating and lighting to create
inviting reading nooks. Costco warehouses
also carry a variety of books.
Whalen Furniture Hunter loft bed Item 359106
