Books have always been very important in both my life as well as my husbands.  From a very young age I can remember books playing a large role in most of my memories.  Memories of my sister reading books to me under the sheets at night, my Dad making up funny voices for the different characters and my Mom pulling out old books from her childhood and reading to me when I was sick. Books have always been there for me to take me away from my home to magical far away places.

Reading however did not always come easy for me. I often struggled when I was young with making sense of the letters. I remember how easy it was for my sister to pick up any book and become lost in the story. Although I loved to be read too, it wasn’t until I was about ten or so before I fell in love with reading to myself. Charlotte’s Web was the first book I read entirely on my own. I can clearly remember finishing the last few pages sitting in the car at the cottage, not wanting to get out to play until I was done. From then on I have been hooked.

As I got older I kept this love of reading. For more than seven years I worked at Chapters bookstore.  It was there that I began to collect my books. My library soon grew and took over my whole bedroom. We now have bookshelves full of books covering our basement walls.

This love of books was something I really wanted to pass onto Abby. When I had my baby shower I requested books instead of cards from people. I badly wanted Abby to have a library full of adventures as well. Friends and family brought in their favourite books from their childhood with messages written inside for her. These books are treasures that I hope Abby will appreciate as much as I do.

There is an old saying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This seems to be true with Abby and books. She has become quite the little bibliophile reading books everyday. I only hope that this love of reading last for the rest of her life.