Giving the very best holiday gifts

It's so easy to put a "Book on Every Bed!"

Hi All!

Last week I returned from a trip to Portugal, where my husband and I spent several days climbing the very steep hills of Lisbon and working off our efforts by enjoying a series of very memorable meals.

We visited the beautiful northern city of Porto, where during our brief stay we stumbled onto a major tourist attraction that — true to form — I did not know existed.

But I do, now!

Livraria Lello bills itself as “the most beautiful bookstore in the world.”

It is certainly the most beautiful bookstore in MY world.

We purchased a ticket and stood in line to enter this modest-sized and luxurious space.

But upon entering, Livraria Lello became my own.

[Closing my eyes while ascending the spectacular vertigo-inducing curvy whirling red staircase.]

[The bookstore publishes its own designs of classic books — here I am pretending to read The Great Gatsby (I did purchase it…!).]

After our visit, my arms bogged down with books, I stood on the sidewalk in front of the shop and had myself a little cry.

My travelogue is a prelude to today’s pitch, which is devoted to a very simple idea — encouraging people to give books as gifts this holiday season.

I’ve chosen today as the best day to publish because this is the my late-mother’s birthday, and because I will always associate my love of books with her legacy. She was a voracious reader, and the person who taught me that when you have a book, you are never alone.

(In my memory, I can still picture her reading a book while waiting in the car or while sitting in the stands of any number of the countless sporting events she was forced to endure during our school years. We visited our small public library frequently.)

Over the years, as I promoted the “Book on Every Bed” campaign in my advice column, I heard from scores of readers who have shared with me their own literacy stories. In my two decades of publishing the “Ask Amy” column, promoting reading and literacy is probably the most lasting advice I’ve offered.

From my column, the backstory:

“All literacy starts with a story, and the inspiring story behind this effort came to me from Pulitzer prize winning historian David McCullough, whose charmed and productive life was entirely shaped by the sharing of books and stories, starting early in his childhood.

Mr. McCullough died this past August at the age of 89, and many of the tributes to his life and work mentioned the impact his parents and grandparents had on his life and eventual vocation, by exposing him to literature, reading aloud, and treasuring books in the household.

McCullough personally granted me permission to use his own Christmas story as a way to inspire readers to give books as gifts during the holiday season.

Every Christmas morning, starting in his very early childhood, David and his three brothers would awaken to a wrapped book placed at the end of their bed. Santa had left the gift there, and it was the very first present unwrapped and enjoyed on Christmas morning.

It’s so simple! Family members can wrap a new book, or share a favorite from their own childhood. The important thing is what happens next: sitting and reading together.

Over the years, fellow writers and literacy advocates have helped to promote and spread the Book on Every Bed idea by sharing their own literacy stories in this space. Jacqueline Woodson, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, and literacy hero LeVar Burton have all generously lent their names to this effort. Each shared a story of a treasured book, and each wrote movingly about the indelible and lifelong impact of being introduced to books in childhood.”

As I gathered these literacy stories from famous writers, I noted that they all contained close parallels to my own: Without fail, an elder lit the way — whether it was a teacher, a librarian, or — like me — a parent.

I am proud to work with my local independent bookstore, Buffalo Street Books in Ithaca, NY, as well as with our literacy champion, the Children’s Reading Connection.

Together, and with community help, they provide books to local schools, day care centers, hospitals and doctor’s offices.

I was especially proud to provide books to every child in my hometown primary school. Gathering in the tiny gymnasium with the entire school present, we read, sang, and celebrated the magic and power of a good story.

[School gym, Freeville Elementary School]

On this day, thanks to my mother Jane’s legacy, I realize that I’ve traveled from that tiny school gym all the way to Livraria Lello — and I got there through the power of literacy.

For every child given the gift of reading and literacy — I hope for a similar amazing journey.

Love and peace —

Amy

PLEASE!! If you have read this all the way to the end, let me know by shooting me a “heart.”

I’d also LOVE it if you would share your own literacy stories, memories, or book recommendations in the comments section.