Tulips, I know many children in the US that love to read. I think children get turned off about reading when their teachers make them read the books on a required list. Actually although I have always loved to read and do constantly that turned me off about doing book reports in school as we did not have a choice as to what we read.

Reading can be a lifetime joy if children are encouraged to in a positive way.

Misha, your gift basket idea is a beautiful idea and you have received some wonderful suggestions. What a nice friend you are, but imagine your friends already know that.

Thank you so much for your ideas! There are so many of them that I am very tempted to go way over my budget.

I have purchased two travel journals, the Sharon Creech book, and a global atomic alarm clock. I plan to include some glue sticks and purell. Everyone seems to have run out of Stravaganza and the Thief Lord. I still need to look into the other two books mentioned.

I will definately use some of the ideas like the pencil cases for my own next trip.

Oh yes!! I found something that I would highly reccomend. They are little books that look like passports (Hammonds makes them.) You can record expenses, itineraries and comments on places you visit.

By the way, these girls are voracious readers.

Thanks to all of you for your time and creative ideas.