Laughing Giraffe Books Getting Kids Into Reading For Back-To-School

Having trouble getting your kids to read? Sherborn entrepreneur and reading specialist Alexandra Morrill has started a web-based business to help children discover a love of reading.

“My goal is to get kids excited about reading,” said Morrill.

With years of experience as a special education teacher and reading specialist, Morrill started Laughing Giraffe books last August after she decided to spend more time at home being a mom.

The site specializes in books for newborns up to age eight. What sets Laughing Giraffe books apart from other book selling sites are Morrill’s professional recommendations.

Books come in themed bundles and are not sold individually. This time of year she said they are focusing on the back-to-school bundle and a bundle that focuses on kids transitioning into a new school.

The most popular item she said is her book of the month club. Morrill said the children get different bundles put together along with a game. Each book provides a clue to solving the game. “It makes kids want to read the book to find the answer,” said Morrill.

The books are sold in bundles of three up to bundles of twelve.

“Over the summer [the most popular] was the baby bundle,” said Morrill. “Back-to-school bundle is most popular now. People are struggling to find books for boys,” she said.

She said, “In the 4-8 [age range] you have fifty bundles.” Laughing Giraffe offers 80 bundles in total. There is one particular collection where each book is the first of a different series. “It’s almost like a sampler,” she said.

“I think in a lot of cases the book of the month collections in general get your kids back into that academic focus…but in a fun way,” Morrill added.

Morrill encourages shoppers to look on her Facebook page for weekly deals. She also posts helpful hints on how to get the kids reading. She posts activities on what to do with children around certain books.

“My goal is really to get kids reading,” said Morrill.