These were treasured hours spent following the lives of many fictional characters that leapt from the colorful pages of the books and into my life. A mother who loved to read passed on that same love to me as she read aloud to me. This has indeed brought joy to my life. Children should see their parents reading for information, for news and for pleasure. Most avid readers fall in love with books at an early age, and many could read before starting school.
Books expand the mind and create new worlds of adventure, romance and discovery.
Books are not simply a way of gaining knowledge but also of strengthening emotional connections, lessening isolation and exploring alternative realities. With remote controls that allow channel surfing, VCRs and the explosion of cable networks, it's becoming harder and harder for us to sit and stare for hours at something that doesn't explode, flash with colored lights or advertise for Pepsi and Levi's. This may sound like I am firmly opposed to television, but this is not the case. Television provides many educational shows that are of value, but it is though books that the imagination is broadened. Many people have unfortunately been brainwashed with the idea that books are only for school, and that they are evil and boring.