‘Kids should take to reading’

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 4

“From Rudyard Kipling to JK Rowling, children’s book genre has changed drastically over the years. Earlier, kids used to spend their holidays picking up their favorite reads. Today, they prefer watching a film adaptation of the same, while being hooked to the Internet. Parents should encourage children to read more, beginning at an early age,” said Prabhjot Sandhu, librarian at the district library.

Speaking on inculcating reading habits among parents as well as children at the opening of the children book exhibition, Sandhu said language didn’t matter, only the intent to promote reading does. “We are promoting books for children in all languages. Reading also benefits our sensory development, enriches vocabulary, enhances memory and develops our concentration and creativity. Besides, studies have shown that people who read more live longer,” she said.

Sandhu also shared that over the years, not many parents or children visit libraries. The readership among children has also decreased. “Mostly, reading has been only limited to academic books, and interests have changed in the digital media world. There is at least a 25% decrease in memberships of public libraries in the city. Parents should encourage kids to read by example, even if it is on kindle or any other medium.”

Marking the International Children’s Book Day, the exhibition was dedicated to celebrated children’s book author Hans Christian Anderson. Kids were informed about Henderson and his works.

Deputy DEO Rekha Mahajan inaugurated the exhibition and emphasised the need of reading books at young age by sharing her personal experiences and inspiring to read good books of their choice by visiting the library regularly.