The first book in the Lemony Snicket “unfortunate events” series was on your kitchen counter, so I asked how you liked it.  Having read the first five, I was anxious to hear your reaction. It’s an unusual theme … dark and foreboding, not unlike Harry Potter.

“I like it. I got it from the school library.”

I told you I read the first five books and had them at home. “Would you like to read them?”   “Yes,” you replied without hesitation.

Next time you came to my house, you immediately asked about the books.  “Papa where are those Lemony Snicket books?”  “In my office… in my bookcase.”  You marched in and took them.  “You don’t have the fifth one,” you said, “but I’ll get it from the library.”

One of the most amazing things about you is your love of reading.  You have an insatiable appetite!  You always have a book in-the-works and often read several per week.  In fact, three days after you took volumes 2, 3, 4 of Snicket I inquired and you had already read them!

Your favorite book series is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I haven’t read any so you told me I could bring one home…”take the red one, that’s the first one.”  I did.

I gave you the first book in the Harry Potter series and hope you enjoy it.  I’d like to read it with you – or talk about it – and someday visit Hogwarts at Universal Studios.  Here’s a picture of you “reading” Harry Potter when you were but a wee bitty pup.  The seeds of reading were planted at a young age, my friend.

Keep on reading your entire life Ben.  Reading is knowledge and awareness – yes – but it’s also the kindling of creativity, curiosity and imagination.  It will take you to wonderful new places and always be a good friend.