Food for Thought: Give Books Not Candy at Halloween

A friend of mine sent me an email about Books for Treats. I thought warranted a post on LifeTwo. Here it is in its entirety:

Books? Aren't ghosts and witches craving gobs of candy?

"Not necessarily," says Books For Treats founder Rebecca Morgan. "Kids actually appreciate the 'brain food' of books instead of candy at Halloween. Our program encourages individuals and communities to think differently about how you can feed kids' minds, not their cavities at this sugar-focused holiday."

When asked what she thought of Books For Treats, seven-year-old Alana said "I like books better than candy. A book lasts a long time and candy is gone in a bite! And I can sit on my daddy's lap and read the book over and over with him."

Morgan started giving gently read children's books in 1995 after wanting an alternative to the handfuls of candy she was pitching into her trick-or-treaters' bags. She expanded the program to encourage others to do the same in 2001 after much positive feedback from her neighbors and the community.

With childhood diabetes and obesity growing at epidemic rates, books -- even used books -- are a welcome alternative. Morgan has partnered with city officials in her hometown of San José and is now an integral part of the merchant's Halloween trick-or-treating program. Last year Books For Treats gave out 3500 books in 4 hours before they ran out. This year she has more than double that number and is expanding the program into other parts of San Jose. Stockton, CA and Orange County (CA) are also planning to bring Books For Treats to their communities this year.

What will the kids think about getting books instead of candy? Kids, as well as their parents, are thrilled by receiving books for treats. Morgan says, "They are much more enthusiastic than we have ever seen them when we gave candy. We have witnessed many children running to the sidewalk waiving a new treasure yelling 'Mom, look! I got a book!' We also saw a group of kids standing on the sidewalk showing each other their books. And we heard one girl greet a friend coming from the other direction 'Hey, this house gives books! Cool!"

Catherine Edwards reported, "I escorted five fourth-grade boys trick-or-treating and they were thrilled the most about receiving a Books For Treats book. When the boys saw their friends they exclaimed 'Look at the cool book from the lady across the street!' When we arrived home, I quickly hid the bag of candy. My son didn't even ask for the candy; he begged for the book that he received from Books For Treats!"

How do you get involved? Go to http://www.BooksForTreats.org to read how you can create a program for your community, or download the free kit on how give books to your own Halloween visitors.