The plight of the bookworm. (Times of Your Life).

Over the course of one brief school year I unwittingly created a monster. I taught my son to read. That, in itself, was a feat of heroic proportions. Briefly consider the English language, and you'll see what I mean. If it's one goose and three geese, how come it isn't one moose and three meese?

It's amazing any of us can read. But, setting that aside for a moment, there is an even greater hurdle to be faced once the actual skill of reading is behind you: finding good reading material.

As any parent who has looked over the reading list from school or bought books sight unseen from school reading programs knows, questionable material lurks between the pages of a book. Unless you are prepared to pre-read every book your child picks up until he is an adult, you'll need some tools to help you steer your hungry little bookworm in the right direction.

A good place to start is with your own memories of the books you read as a child. The language may be outdated ("Gleeps, Trixie"), but you're already familiar with the content. Just be sure to refresh your memory. It may hold special memories for you, but not be appropriate for your child. Don't let sentimentality win over content.

Question other parents about what they are reading to their kids. This is a great way to find out what's in a book without actually reading it.

Some out-of-print books make excellent reading. The Landmark Series features books about historical figures and events. You can pick them up at yard sales, flea markets, or online at a place like eBay. Prices vary. I prefer older books because the morals are stronger and the children generally look up to figures of authority.

Another way to choose books is to look for award-winning books. A book selected for an award of excellence stands a good chance of being worthwhile reading. But be a good critic. The writing or illustrations might be award-winning, but content is a subjective thing.

Of course, no matter how diligent you are, questionable language and themes will invariably slip through. That's why it's important to train your child to be his or her own best censor. Be sure to discuss books your child reads alone. Overwrite your values into the subject matter ("It wasn't very kind of Billy to tell lies about his friend, was it?"). Don't assume your child will pick up the message without help. As you mold them into critical readers you'll have to worry less about what they read. Instead you'll worry about how to keep them supplied with books.

Start a children's book-reading group

Help make reading really fun by starting a reading group. Choose a book and plan to meet in one month to discuss it. You can hold meetings at your house (don't forget the refreshments) or at a pizza place. As facilitator, make sure you've read the book too and have some open-ended questions ready in case the discussion falters. Keep them on track and make sure they understand the issues they read about, and your group will be a hit.

Awards to look for:

In the United States: Caldecott Medal and Honor Books, Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Award, Dorothy Canfield Book Award, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

In Canada: The Canadian Library Association Book for the Year, CLA Book for Young People, the Governor General's Awards for Children's Literature, the Mr. Christie's Book Award, the Ontario Red Maple Award.

Celeste perrino Walker reads lots of worthwhile books at her home in Rutland, Vermont.