Reading books is an acquired taste. The good news that as parents, teachers and friends we can help our young readers acquire the taste at an early age and give them a life time of joy and good reading. If somehow the need for reading books wasn't instilled into someone as a youngster there is bountiful evidence of reasons why reading a book is a great idea, for anyone.

1. Reading is free. Wait, let's stop and think about this. We can visit a local library and check out a book for absolutely nothing. There is no one standing by each time we turn to the page to ask for money. There are plenty of books worth paying for and adding to a personal collection, but the act of reading is absolutely free.

2. It teaches grammar, sentence structure and communication skills. It is almost a passive way of learning these important skill sets. Reading gives the reader a sense of when things don't look just right or sound correct. It can even help with spelling. A reader may not be a great speller, but at least be able to recognize that a word doesn't look correct and follow up on the assumption.

Vocabulary grows with reading as well. Not everyone stops and looks up a word when they don't know the definition, but they use context in order to understand the material. It doesn't matter what type of books they are reading they come across new ways to express ideas and new words.

3. There are no commercials. There may be interruptions with life, family and friends. But one is never interrupted in reading a book to stop and listen to a commercial. Perhaps the same can not be said of magazines and even reading on line. They have lots of advertisements that can be passover,but they are there.

4. It is an acceptable way to learn how to do something, in fact almost anything. If learning to put on make up is a goal, there is a book about it. If hunting bears is your cup of tea, there's a book that will give the details. The subjects simply have no limits.

5. Books make good friends, when there are no friends available. There is no need to be bored or depressed. Pick up a good book and become engrossed in the story.

6. Reading makes give you more knowledge. It may not teach common sense, but there is much to learn with reading. Recently there was a discussion about the validity of reading western novels. One woman chirped up that the biscuits she had made for her last camping trip were directly related to something she had read in a novel and added the extra secret ingredient. One never knows what may be hidden in the pages.

7. It is a great way to bond with a child. Take a child up in the lap and curl arms around them and read a book and there is bonding time.

8. Reading has no calories.

9. Reading is fun. There are books that make one laugh right out loud. Go on a quest for one.

10. Keeping the written word alive and well is a legacy for our future generations. Authors and historians will only keep writing as long as there is a need for their craft. Start reading a new book, today.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
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