Yellowknife (Dec 20/04) - What do you give the person who has everything? Nothing.

Just give the money you would have spent on them to the NWT Literacy Council.

The Council will use that cash to buy crates of books for communities that don't have libraries or bookstores, and will send your friend or loved one a charitable tax receipt.

That's the Give the Gift of Reading campaign in a nutshell.

Communities that have benefitted from the program include Holman, Deline, Wha Ti, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Wekweti.

Lisa Campbell, community literacy facilitator, said the council chooses two communities each year and uses the funds raised to flood those places with books.

She estimates the council has shipped thousands of books over the past five years.

"Children's books related to the North are mostly what we buy," she said.

She explained this ensures children feel an immediate connection to the new books.

There was a boy in Colville Lake who fell instantly in love with "Caribou Journey" at a family literacy night.

"He picked it up and hugged it," said Campbell. "He said 'I love caribou. Caribou are my favourite.'"

The aim of the program is to have books available in the home so kids will read more and their desire to read will increase.

"It also creates bonding," said Campbell. "Parents can spend time with their children by reading to them."

The council also accepts previously loved children's books in good condition, but prefers cash donations due to a lack of storage space.

Donations can be made by phoning the council toll free at 1-866-599-6758, or by mailing a form that can be found on the council's Web site. The Literacy Council will accept donations until February.