If you aren’t familiar with the hashtag #GiveABook then allow me to let you know what’s going on. Starting November 29th, Penguin Random House launched a social media campaign. With every use of the hashtag on Facebook or Twitter before December 25, Penguin Random House will donate a book to the Save the Children organization. And up to 25,000 times.
Such a media campaign to promote and encourage literacy brought back a wonderful memory. It happened over 20 years ago. I must’ve been 6-8 years old and the daycare I was attending was throwing a Christmas celebration. There I was, all gussied up and sitting by myself as your typical wallflower. Watching the other kids run around with their gifts and eating sweets. When a woman, a teacher and owner of the center, came up to me and gave me a present. A book.
Why? That book had become a symbol. A symbol of the first time someone stepped into my world of one. A symbol of the first person to give me a key to another world and cemented my path in delving into more worlds. And although Little Women and Moby Dick were the first two books I’ve ever read, Fudge-A-Mania was the first book I’d ever owned.
The power of a book is amazing. So, if you haven’t already, give a book as a present this Christmas. Then post it on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #GiveABook. Let’s give the gift the keeps on giving, and open up new worlds.
What’s the first book you’ve ever read? Have you ever received books as a present? In what ways has a book(s) influenced you? Please share in the comment section below. As well as share your story on Facebook and Twitter, using hashtag #GiveABook.
PS. If you’re still stumped on what to give as a present, or unsure of what book to get, you can take the GiveABook Buzz Quiz on Facebook. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/giveabooknow/app_166013376782265
*Credit for the image below goes to Quoteswave.com*