FIRST LOVE

Once upon a time a little girl lived with her mother and father in a warm, comfortable house. Every night her mother tucked her into bed and took her to a wondrous world. A place where anything could happen and most often did. An amazing land where children spoke to animals, went on exciting adventures, conquered fearsome monsters and parents were hardly important at all.

The girl grew and yearned to visit this world more and more. The keys to this world were inside the books her mother read aloud each night. The black squiggles her mother ran her pointed finger under were the way inside this fantastic place. By listening and watching the girl learned the words and their secret meaning. Soon she was visiting often, with no help from an adult.

You must have guessed by now. Yes. The place the girl yearned for was the breath-taking world of Fiction. Do you remember the first moment a story swept you away and held you captive until you reached the very last page? With a satisfied sigh you closed the book and wished yourself the hero. The one who faced insurmountable problems and struggled through in victory. Has your life improved and been enriched because you visit the world of Fiction.

I believe mine has. You see I was that little girl, once upon a time. So were you, though you may have been a little boy. Perhaps your initiation into Fiction was not so wonderful. Maybe you struggled with the keys of entry for some time. I trust you still found Fiction. I hope you still visit there often. I also hope you take your children there before bedtime. Children who learn to love Fiction never lose that first love.

Spending time in Fiction opens countless doors in our lives, opening to learning, relationships, career choices and a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Our lives receive strength and reinforcement from Fiction and her sister world, Non- Fiction.

This is where I begin my passionate plea. Please, take your children into the world of Fiction as young as possible. Start gently with funny and bright picture books. Ones they can see easily. Books they can touch and point at as they identify objects from their daily lives. Read alound to them every night, if possible. Choose books with plenty of things to look at while you learn to read upside-down. Let them sit beside you if this is difficult. They will make the connection between the words and the story as you read and reread their favorites.

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