As a librarian at Fairfax County Public Library in Fairfax, Virginia, Carey Hagan develops and implements programs that encourage literacy and reading among families. In addition, Carey Hagan frequently gives book talks at local schools, where she strives to promote a love of literature.

While teaching children to read plays a key role in their education, simply knowing how to decode words does not necessarily promote a lifetime of pleasurable reading. To inspire children to read for enjoyment, parents and teachers must first demonstrate that reading is fun. Adults can begin by reading together with children. This creates happy memories surrounding books, which in turn sets the stage for a good relationship with the written word.

As children learn to read on their own, adults can set them up for enjoyment by letting them choose what they read. A parent or teacher can encourage this process by identifying a child's interest and finding books on that subject that are at the child's level. By honoring a child's preferences, be they classic literature or comic books, adults help reading become a leisure activity rather than a chore.

In addition, parents and teachers can keep a book exciting by talking with the child about the story. This can be a formal activity, such as a book circle in a classroom, or simply a conversation over the breakfast table about a chapter the child recently finished. By keeping them involved in what they are reading, adults can keep children eagerly anticipating the next page.