Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of short essays to celebrate Read Across America.

One of the favorite books that I would read to my daughter when she was younger was “If You Give a Mouse A Cookie” by Laura Joffe Numeroff.

If you are familiar with the story, you know that when you give a mouse a cookie, he has to have a glass of milk. If you give him milk, he’ll probably ask for a straw, and then go on asking for more and more until he is finally satisfied. I like to think that if you give a child a love of reading, the same thing will happen.

There is a magical-mystical thing about reading. Adventures in far off places begin to happen. Mighty ships encounter white whales, mermaids and monsters. A boy climbs a beanstalk into another dimension.

Whole universes are created in the space of minutes. And, mice ask for straws to drink milk. We know that reading is the foundation for all other educational activities. So take time to explore the wonderful worlds that are in a book with your child. Read for the fun of it!

–Karin Taylor

Andalusia Public Library Director

Essays on this subject are welcome and should be e-mailed to michele.gerlach@andalusiastarnews.com.