Here’s a gift-giving idea for Christmas…
If You Give A Child A Book
If you give a child a book, he’s going to want to read it.
And as he reads, he’s going to think about what he’s doing.
And as he thinks, he’s going to recall what he already knows
and similar experiences he has had.
And as he thinks about those experiences, he’s going to want
to talk to his friends and share his thoughts and ideas with them.
And as he talks with others,
he’s going to want to learn and discover more.
So, chances are he’ll find another book to read,
And then another, and another.
And as he reads more books, he’ll discover books
that make him smile, laugh, cry, angry, curious,
frustrated, contented, thoughtful, happy,
And then, as time passes,
He’ll become a lifelong reader.
By: Pamela J. Farris, from the Reading Teacher, 1996
(Poem inspired by Numeroff’s book, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”)