a book on every bed

The other day my good friend, Donna, told me of an encounter she had in the post office while waiting in line.  She and another woman in the queue were discussing online shopping and kindle readers, and the other woman mentioned that there was a woman in her neighborhood who gives out books to Trick-or-Treaters.  Donna swelled with pride as she admitted that it was her GOOD friend.  (Her emphasis, not mine!)

I admit it.  Guilty as charged.  I love books.  I love the notion of getting lost in a book.  I can still remember the chair where I was sitting when Beth died in “Little Women”, the first book I read over a weekend.  I sobbed and sobbed.  And later when Jo turned down Laurie’s proposal and he went on to marry her sister Amy, I wept again. 

Every year, I would give a Christmas book to my children.  My collection has grown to baskets full of books that I haul out of their storage under the eaves when Christmas rolls around.  Christmas books are a treasured tradition.

I have found a kindred spirit in Amy Dickinson, the advice columnist who pens “Ask Amy”.  She writes on her website, “when you have a book, you are never alone. Reading unlocks worlds of imagination and creativity. Literacy imparts real power, and this is especially important for people who feel powerless.  The magic of literacy can happen at any time, but it is especially important in childhood. Reading helps a young child's brain develop and mature. Reading for pleasure is a lifelong gift of entertainment and learning.”

Every year Amy takes a break from answering letters to giving advice in the form of a challenge:  to put a book on every bed.  You can go to the website  https://www.childrensreadingconnection.org/a-book-on-every-bed to find ways that you can participate.   I will be joining her by putting a book on each of my grandchildren’s bed, but for those of you without little ones in your life here’s what Amy says:  “I suggest adopting a local classroom or day-care center and providing a book for each child to unwrap on Christmas morning.”

Someone you know needs the gift of reading.  Ask God to show you how to help to put a book on every bed this Christmas.

Love, Liz