By Julie Moos
I remember the first book that completely captured me. It was a big, heavy, hardcover book of fairy tales, and I was so intent on reading it without interruption that I climbed into a cardboard box in the living room and stayed there until I turned the last thick, colorful page in my very tired hand. That experience changed my life as a reader. I realized I could both escape and immerse myself in life, through books.
Thirtysomething years later, I want to help others discover their world in books. So, we are making donations to "First Book" for the holidays, in honor of our family and friends. "First Book" is an organization that gives children the opportunity to own books, many for the first time. I became aware of their work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when they helped replenish homes and classrooms with reading material.
According to their Web site, "Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 46 million new books to children in need, including more than 3.5 million to the Gulf Coast alone through our Book Relief initiative." You can learn more about First Book here and if you're interested in giving the gift of reading, you can learn more about donating here.
Do you remember your first book?
Julie is a writer and editor who lives with her husband and son in Safety Harbor, Florida.
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