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Reading for pleasure is a fundamental human right
In a wonderful article in The Times author Michael Morpurgo says that reading for pleasure is a fundamental human right.
“WITHOUT THE SUNLIGHT of literature children cannot grow as they should. We know that from books come knowledge and understanding, that they are a source of infinite joy and fun, that they stimulate imagination and creativity, that they open eyes and minds and hearts. It is through the power and music and magic of stories and poems that children can expand their own intellectual curiosity, develop the empathy and awareness that they will need to tackle the complexities of their own emotions, of the human condition in which they find themselves. And it’s through books that we can learn the mastery of words, the essential skill that will enable us to express ourselves well enough to achieve our potential in the classroom and beyond.”
Morpurgo goes on to add:
“We are all to blame. For a start, we know that too many children grow up in homes where they are rarely, if ever, read to. Perhaps the parents don’t read themselves anyway. Perhaps they are too busy or too tired to set aside the time to do it. Perhaps it is easier to sit the children down in front of the television with a DVD. Perhaps they have no money for books, and perhaps the local library has been closed down or is too far away. Whatever the reason, a child who has no contact with books at this crucial early age simply cannot know the fun and the wonder they are missing.”
Source: The Times
To read the full article please follow this link.
Born in 1943 Michael Morpurgo describes himself as ‘oldish’. Married to Clare, father to three children and grandfather to six he has written over 100 titles for children over the course of his career.
Posted: January 23rd, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Michael Morpurgo
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