Our Chance To Influence.

Fasching is on its way.

About once a year local parents do the rounds and collect offerings for the lucky draw at the annual children's Fasching. Children being the operative word as teenagers don't enjoy it as much as they once did or rather they feel that a cool demeanor is the order of the day. Musical chairs is much more fun when very young, as is dressing up for it.

Last night a set of parents came past to drop off the leaflet and ask for prizes. Giving money is more for grown-up parties so one has to make an effort to buy something appropriate for the young kids.

A lot of sweets will be on the lucky prizes list, but Bob and I prefer to give books. Yes, books to read and hopefully devour. Wasn't it the one book that got most of us readers hooked? The trick is to find the right one.

Murphy's law might mean that last year's prizes from us are gathering dust on a shelf with the recipient wondering what he or she did wrong to deserve a book instead of toys or sweets...but maybe the book found the right person.

As Bob and I love reading so much, we take every chance and opportunity to enslave a young child to a life long love of reading.
At times I fear that I've turned into one of those irritating older ' aunts ' who tends to preach about reading as if it was the best thing since sliced bread, which of course it is...

Biggi