I don't hold books on the same pedestal, but extended together time I certainly do. Could be building Lego, using a computer, drawing, all of these things help with focus.

I think constructive praise is critical too, so they feel the tangible benefits of putting time into a project. I actually think books are bad in this regard, there is nothing to praise at the end, though it does provoke thought. We switched to comics, they are able to handle much more complex story lines then.