Children like to do what their parents do ... until they're teens. I've definitely seen this with my children's fitness interests. My seven-year-old loves to ride his bike or scooter on my neighborhood jogs and my four-year-old daughter joins me for at-home yoga. I run today because my dad is a runner -- he bought me my first pair of shoes.

Unleashing your child's spirit for jogging can mean more than purchasing them shoes or sweating yourself. Carol Goodrow's Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther is targeted for kids in grades 1-6. The book includes proper footwear, young runner nutrition and cross-training tips, as well as illustrations and lessons to sequentially build a young runner's confidence and endurance. Goodrow provides insightful information without overwhelming a young audience. One Amazon reviewer shared the book is not preachy and informative tidbits and silly riddles engage readers.

If you know a youngster who is rarin' to run, this book would be a terrific surprise for their nightstand!