Over the weekend, we made a very simple “Shrine To Children’s Literature” at home, celebrating some of my daughter’s favorite books.

In her wonderful book, Happier at Home, author Gretchen Rubin describes how she built a “Shrine to Children’s Literature” in her home. She found joy in seeing “all my beloved titles lined up together” in a proud collection.

Our shrine also includes my daughter’s nearly completed summer reading program progress sheet. I shared stories and advice about all these books in Born Reading: Bringing Up Bookworms in a Digital Age.

To celebrate the books that inspire kids, I’m collecting other pictures of “Shrines to Children’s Literature.”

If you make a shrine in your house, drop me a line on Twitter, Facebook or email with a photograph. I will add your photographs to my new Pinterest board.

Gretchen Rubin described her personal shrine in her book and at the Children’s Literature Network:

“As I divided the books into untidy stacks on the rug, it occurred to me that my personal commandment to “Be Gretchen” is so important that it deserved to be enshrined as the Fifth Splendid Truth: I can build a happy life only on the foundation of my own nature. A Shrine to Children’s Literature wasn’t a universal formula for happiness, but it made me happier.”

Tips for Building Book Shrines for Kids

1- Build it near your personal bookshelf. Let your child know that you value reading and that you value their books as well. Don’t keep them separated!

2- Include reading or writing related achievements. Put summer reading program flyers, pictures, or homemade books that your child creates in the shrine as well.

3. Choose books that your child loves. It is tempting to showcase the most attractive or hippest books, but you should show your child that their choices matter.

I’m proud to say that Gretchen had some kind words for my book on her blog today:

“Speaking of reading, Jason Boog has a terrific book that just hit the shelves: Born Reading: Bringing Up Bookworms in a Digital Age–from Picture Books to eBooks and Everything in Between. It’s a great resource for anyone who wants to help children love to read.”