Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Sometimes bribery works

I've been trying to get my boys to read books for I'm not sure how long. My younger sons reads a bit, but only at school. My older son doesn't read at all.

I've bought all kinds of boy friendly books. The Maze Runner, Leviathan, The Book Thief, but none of them have worked.

So two weeks ago I tried one more. I am Number Four.

It sat on my desk for a week before I came up with an idea. One night my son was moping around the house, bored and, so I said if you read a chapter of that book I'll make cookies.

Not only did he read one chapter, he read four and he plans to read more.

Did I mention that I make really good cookies.

I know your not suppose to send bribes with your query letter, but since it worked so well on my son, do you think that maybe...

20 comments:

Susan R. Mills said...

Ha! If only... I love that the bribe worked for your son. Apparently, my cookies aren't quite so good cause that never worked for me.

Misha Gerrick said...

Hahaha I don't think cookies with queries will work, but I'll appreciate them!

;-P

Jessica Nelson said...

Hahaaa! Great idea! My son balks at reading. I might have to try this. LOL

Stina said...

Hmmm. *rushes off to make batch of cookies to send with query letters*

lotusgirl said...

I love this. *celebrates the son reading* I've heard that book is really good. It's on my TBR list. I'll have to get it for my son.

Southpaw said...

Hey if it works... :)

Tina Lynn said...

Funny you should say that, I saw a tweet this morning from an agent that she received like $60 cash with the query. She didn't like it so much. Sorry to burst your bubble. Maybe cookies work better...

Unknown said...

Come to the dark side... we have cookies! :p As if reading wasn't its own reward, you have to go and make it irresistible with the mention of cookies. Maybe I'll follow suit and bribe myself into reading a chapter (or half dozen) this evening!

Carolyn V. said...

LOL! I'd send cookies, but they'd probably already be eaten before I closed the envelope.

I'll have to check out that book. I'm trying to get my boys to read a little. I wish there were more good boy books out there.

Dara said...

LOL! Also, the sequel to Leviathan came out recently, it's called Behemoth. My husband is super excited about it--and he doesn't get super excited about books very often. Actually this is the first time I can remember since the last HP book came out.

Melissa Gill said...

whatever works girl. I've bribed my neices and nephew with trips to the amusement park, the zoo, etc. to get them to read. I think my nephew is finally shaping up, but my neices, no way. (It's genetic my sister hates to read)

Janet Johnson said...

LOL! Don't we wish. :)

Shannon O'Donnell said...

My son LOVED that book. Have you tried the Deltora Quest series by Emily Rodda. I've had a lot of non-readers fall for that one - at ALL age levels! Even my husband read them last summer, and he only reads non-fiction or harry Potter. :-)

BK Mattingly said...

Those must be some seriously amazing cookies, I say give them a try! :D

Denise Covey said...

My brother bribed my niece with Mars Bars. She's had her nose in a book ever since, but unfortunately she is now obese! But a very well-read obese person..:)

Denise Covey said...

Forgot to say, you have a new follower..:)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Can you imagine if bribes worked for agents??? Every bakery would be owned by an agent ;)

Tabitha Bird said...

LOL- send the cookies :)

Anonymous said...

Maybe I should try that with my boys! My kids like reading but they really enjoy books that teach them new things, especially volcanoes.

Jackee said...

Oh, man don't I wish cookies worked!

Fitting the right books with a child to turn them into a reader maybe one of the hardest things parents who care have to do. I know I struggle with this one!

Thanks for the laugh, Patti!

Cheers,
Jackee