Many years ago as my niece was about to unwrap her gift, someone asked her what she thought it was. Her matter-of-fact response: “I always know it’s a book from Auntie Karen!” And she’s right, I suppose. When I consider all the shopping I’ve done during this Christmas season, I have to admit, most of my shopping was done (SPOILER ALERT) at a bookstore.
One of my favourite parts of the holiday break is curling up on the couch, with the fireplace on, cracking open a new book: nowhere to go except the depths of the pages within my hands. And nothing beats sharing a new book with a child. The quiet moment on the couch amid the mess of Christmas morning. The wide-eyed wonderment as you get to the end of the book and the immediate, “Read it again!” at its conclusion.
Fifth grade teacher Rafe Esquith has said: “This I believe: If young people develop a love of reading, they will have better lives.” Sean Covey has said, “I believe that the simple act of a parent reading to his or her child each day for fifteen minutes could change the world!”
Reading opens our minds to endless possibilities. Reading provides connection to others in our world. Reading is an escape. Reading empowers. Reading enlightens, delights and inspires.
Reading changes lives.
Get thee to a bookstore: give a book this Christmas.
Consider it done!!
Good advice. Consider it done x2.
Here’s a quote that you might like: “Houses don’t remain, but books do.”
Excellent thoughts Karen! thank you
Already done . . .many books bought and given 🙂 I agree tis the greatest gift! My Mom gave me the greatesgt gift . . . “The Night Before Christmas” recorded by her 🙂 Have a good week!
It’s a funny thing. Grace-Lyn is only five months old and she has a favorite book. Eric Carle’s “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”. Being the bad Mommy I am, I did not pack it with us to Florida. Yesterday at supper (she was sitting in the highchair) I asked her if she missed her book. Then we started to recite it. She got so excited! (I thought she was just loving the book for its pictures but apparently she loves the rhythm of it too!)