I wrote yesterday about spending this past Saturday at the National Book Festival, and about the joy and importance of reading. Sadly, not everyone shares my belief in the importance of reading as a part of a sound education.

A very disturbing article by Michael Grunwald in yesterday's (October 1st) Washington Post detailed the tragic waste of money on school reading programs which are distinguished only by the fact that they are championed by friends in high places. A quote from the article states that:

"Department (of Education) officials and a small group of influential contractors have strongarmed states and local (school) districts into adopting a small group of unproved textbooks and reading programs with almost no peer-reviewed research behind them. The commercial interests behind these textbooks and programs have paid royalties and consulting fees to the key Reading First contractors, who also served as consultants for states seeking grants and chaired the panels approving the grants."

This is appalling. One of the most important skills required for a citizen in a democracy is the ability to read, and we are allowing cheap politics and hucksterism to undercut our ability to teach this critical skill to our children. While I believe that much of the responsibility for teaching reading to our children can (and should) be taken up by the parents, our schools also play a key role. Our children, and our nation, deserve better. You can read the full story on the Post website at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/29/AR2006092901333.html.

One of my great delights is listening to my six year-old granddaughter Marcy read. She's not quite ready for Shakespeare or Dickens yet, but she enjoys reading and reads well for her age. Much of the credit for this goes to her parents, who share my belief in the importance of reading. My mother, the Queen of Reading, would have been proud.

So spend some quality time reading with your children and grandchildren. Watch your children's schools and make sure that they have strong, professionally-designed and peer-reviewed reading programs backed up with good libraries. And while you're at it, support your local public library. Video games may be fun, but they won't prepare your children for life in a frighteningly complex and fast-paced world. Give them the gift of literacy and an appreciation for books of all kinds - after love, it's one of the best gifts you can give.

Have a good day. Read something. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo