My maternal grandfather, the first engineer in his town, let me read his vast collection of well-guarded classics. We didn’t have much conversation between us, but he and I would alternate using his rocking chair while I devoured Shakespeare, the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, Ludlum originals, Readers’ Digests that were older than my own mother, and many more. When he died, my mother brought his books home with us.

My elementary school librarian – she let me stay in the library before school, during recess, and after school. We became such good friends that she allowed me to bring library books home without the pass. I would always return them the next day anyway. I read everyday, and well into the night. When my parents bought us a version of children’s encyclopedia and a children’s bible, I read them cover to cover, over and over. In fact, my three other siblings did too. These days, I don’t get to read much, but I would read whenever I can, even in the car with my husband driving. My choice of books have also evolved, but I still recall those story-books from grade school.

Yeah I was am a bookworm. And I gained much from being one.

Books can bring a child to far-away places long before he step foot on them. Books can introduce a child to people and cultures, and adventures and mysteries. Books will challenge a child’s values and help him shape his own. Short stories, novels, fiction and real, textbooks and inspirational – a person who loves to read will read them all.

This week, we celebrate National Children’s Book Week. Read to your child. Let your child read. It’s one of the few treasures you can give him that no one can take away.

image: sxc

Post from: Blisstree

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