Introducing Children to Tolkien

[Valandil]

When is a good age? How is a good way to do it? For you who discovered Tolkien when young, how did it happen? For you who were introduced to his work by your parents, how did they do that? You who have children... what have you done? How has it gone?

I have three young boys - ages 5, 3 and 1. They still seem a bit young to me. The older two are both somewhat aware of my LotR movies... the oldest calls them "Daddy's Hobbits" - and they know it's OK for daddy to watch them, but that mommy doesn't really like them and doesn't want them to watch the movies yet. He (oldest) loves games, so someone even got him a children's LotR game as a Christmas present - the second 'plays' with us too, whenever we play it.

I'm wondering now how soon I could start reading 'The Hobbit' to him. He'll actually be 6 in April. I also wonder about getting an illustrated children's version.

And... this will be hard in our visual, video age, but obviously I'd much prefer for them to read the LotR books before they see the LotR movies.

Suggestions? Experiences?