The Children's Book Council has designated Nov. 13-19, as Children's Book Week. In keeping with the week's theme, "More Books Please!" Writers and Illustrators of North Carolina (WINC), a professional organization of creators of children's books, are promoting literacy, recommending favorite children's books and offering free downloadable bookmarks and teacher resources (www.wincbooks.com).

The authors and illustrators of WINC have written picture books, fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, biography and poetry -- altogether more than 150 books that have won state and national literary awards.

Ways to Keep Kids Reading

-- Read to infants. They may not understand the words, but they will enjoy sitting on your lap, being cuddled, hearing your voice, having your full attention -- and there in your hand is a book. They will forever regard a book as a symbol and source of comfort.

-- Take your children to the library often and get them library cards.

-- Keep a variety of reading material, from children's and young adult books to kid's magazines, where children play or relax.

-- To raise a reader, be a reader yourself. Your child will follow your lead.

-- To lure kids to a book, show them the movie. Tell them the book is even better. It always is. Talk about the differences.

-- Have a family "read." Share a book and then have a "book dinner," where everyone comes dressed as a favorite character.

-- When vacationing with your kids, visit a local bookstore to purchase a souvenir, perhaps a book about or set in the region you're visiting.

-- Share the books that you best loved with your child. Read aloud a couple chapters. Once your child is hooked, he'll want to read on.

Some favorite children's books include: "Lad a Dog" by Albert Payson Terhune; "Heidi" by Johanna Spyri; "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis; "The Dreamkeeper and Other Poems" by Langston Hughes; "What Mary Jo Shared" by Janice May Udry; "Robin Hood," illustrated by Walter Crane; "The Black Stallion" by Walter Farley; "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbitt; "Blueberries for Sal" by Robert McCloskey; "Harriet the Spy" by Louise Fitzhugh; "The Uncle Remus Stories" retold by various authors; "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith and "Never Tease a Weasel" by Jean Conder Soule.