Excuse me?! What? Sorry, did I just hear right? You don’t like books, really? Why? I’m struggling to comprehend what you just said and will do, every time I hear you or somebody else say it.
How could you? What’s there not to like?
I may be sounding biased right now, but honestly, how could you not like them? They’re educating, fun, get you thinking, relaxing, make you laugh, shall I go on? As these magnificent inventions will be celebrated all over the world tomorrow (Friday), I couldn’t think of a better topic to write about. My love for books is something I honestly cannot explain. Letting me lose in a bookshop is like letting a child pick whatever they want in a sweet shop. There’s literally no difference. From primary school to now (I’m 25) I have always been reading. Disney collections, Roald Dahl, The Dave Pelzer collection, P.S. I love you, the twilight saga and oh the list goes on.
Books aren’t just a hobby, their purpose is not just to be used in schools, as textbooks or fill libraries. Books are so much more special than me or you can imagine. To me they are the key to spreading your imagination far and wide. Each page of a book you read is a surprise, it should make you feel satisfied and impatient to read the next page, the next chapter and finally a new book.
Before I give you my top 3 children’s books I’ve read so far, here’s a few interesting facts on books and reading, that you may or may not know…
Fact 1. According to Wiki answers, “The first book ever published in North America was “The Whole Book of Psalmes” it was printed in Cambridge, Mass in 1640. Eleven copies of the first edition are known to be in existence.”
Fact 2. Fiction books increase your ability to empathize with others.
A study done by the University of Buffalo has concluded that access to possible realities and fictional story lines opens you up to new emotions and feelings. It also helps you to empathize with people, by understanding different cultures.
Fact 3. Books used to be shelved “backwards” with the spine facing the back of the shelf and the fore-edge facing out?
Fact 4. The name Wendy was made up especially for the book Peter Pan, it was never a recorded name before.
Fact 5. The largest bound book in the world is The Klencke Atlas. A 1.75 meter tall by 1.9 meter wide tome that is so heavy six people are necessary to lift it. It was presented as a gift to Charles II of England by Johannes Klencke in 1660. The atlas contains 37 printed wall maps.
Fact 6. Reading enhances your memory. Every time you read something new, your brain ‘makes room’ to fit it in. With these new spaces, you can take advantage of any new information that may arise.
Fact 7. Did you know that a third of high school graduates never crack open another book once they leave school? I did, but I didn’t know that the same could be said for 42% of college grads.
The above fact leaves me in disbelief among words. I don’t get it honestly, why? Why would you not pick up a book and read? Ok rant over!
Here’s my Top 3 of children’s books I couldn’t pick from novels.
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
2. Spot the Dog by Eric Hill
3. Elmer the Elephant by David McKee
Happy World Book Day everyone!
Go on pick up a book and have a read, enjoy!
