Wednesday, August 19, 2009

THE POWER OF BOOKS

Yes, I truly believe in the power of books to change hearts, lives, even the world - simply by touching the mind and heart of their readers.
(So call me a cockeyed optimist)

child holding up book entitled the power of books, with butterflies coming out of it.
Books can take us out of our own worlds, to worlds where we can imagine a better way. Escape, they used to call it. My childhood was difficult at times and, like many others, for succor, encouragement, and escape, I turned to friends I knew I could trust.

child holding up book entitled the power of books, with flames coming out of it.
Mary Lennox understood how it felt to be ostracized and lonely. In spite of all her grief, she held on to her strength, curiosity and belief in herself. She also managed to cultivate empathy, kindness, and care.

child holding up book entitled the power of books, with wires coming out of it.
Meg Murry and Charles Wallace were constant companions in those years, as I visited them again and again. My troubles were small compared to Meg's, and she was so brave.

Friends, confidants, role models; they (and many others) are still with me.

child holding up book entitled the power of books, with aloe leaves coming out of it.
My daughter's best friend was (and is) Anne Shirley, who, like my daughter, can talk anyone under the table.

And the grand kids? Who will walk the road with them? We'll just have to wait and see.

child holding up book entitled the power of books, with tentacles coming out of it.

But yes, after all these years, I still believe. Perhaps all those years as a literacy volunteer, watching people actually change their lives as they dove into books has something to do with it.


These images came from Play.Blogger.Com. There are some wonderfully imaginative pictures there, but please be aware that some of the images are NSFW or may be down right creepy.

1 comment: