and then let him read himself to sleep for half an hour. At least that's what my son did. Beside the regular Dr Seuss selection, particularly the really simple ones like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, then add in Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes. Once he's thoroughly hooked, add in Garry Trudeau's Doonsesbury annual collections.

By the time he's 4 and a half the odds are that you will be able to point to a sign as you're entering an amusement park or historical site and say "Read that." and he will, not well, and not everything, but well enough to excite the envy of other parents. Keep adding interesting and fun items as his or her grasp of the language improves, but always stay slightly ahead of the learning curve and explain concepts as best you can. If you make reading interesting, they'll be hooked for life, and will be giving you books in your old age.

Robbie gave me Neal Stephenson, and I just gave him Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy.

Reading is the gift that keeps on giving.

Rob