If the book is worth adding or retaining in the collection, that value should be reflected in the physical condition of the book. A book in reasonable shape, but missing a dust jacket, can be made more appealing to children with a program sponsored by the school librarian, public librarian, or classroom teacher. Children may select a book, read it, then design and color a dust jacket for the book. Libraries using this program report an interest in the newly covered books which they attribute to the colorful cover and the obvious interest another student has shown in the book. Finally, within the confines of the classroom or library,do your best to display the book in an appealing way.
Interest is sparked by seeing the entire cover of the book.
If possible, display them so the children can see most, if not all, of the covers. We must send a clear message to our children if we want them to value books and reading, both for pleasure and for information. Take a few minutes to look, as a child would, in your reading area or library and see what messages are being sent. Anyway, thanks to both.