BY AISHA YUSUF SABO, MAY 27, 2025 | 10:21 PM
All over the world, May 27th is recognized as a day to celebrate children, while also raising awareness about the issues that affect them. It’s a day that reminds us of the important role children play in shaping the future of our societies.
It is no longer news that the culture of reading has greatly declined. In many places, school curriculums focus more on reading to pass exams rather than cultivating a genuine love for reading. This greatly affects the children’s engagement with books.
As a passionate reader and storyteller, I believe storybooks are not just tales meant to entertain, they are powerful tools that open young minds to the richness and diversity of the world. Stories invite children to question, to empathize, and to connect with others on a deeper level. As they grow, they carry with them a broader worldview, one that embraces differences, seeks justice, and values equality.
I happen to be privileged to have had access to books while growing up and that shaped me in ways I have no idea how to explain. It wasn't just the stories in those books, rather, it was the feeling that someone, somewhere, understood me. Those stories showed me that there were worlds beyond the four walls of my home, my street, my school. The books gave me a voice, and a sense of freedom, long before I understood what freedom really meant.
As I grew older and began meeting people from diverse backgrounds, I noticed many people don’t read. Some even describe reading as a burden. Whenever I hear someone say, “I don’t like reading,” I’m surprised. I find myself asking, “What do you do if you don’t read?” Because for me, reading is fun, it keeps me company, sparks my curiosity, and keeps me growing. So I wonder why reading is such a difficult task for so many.
Literature has been devalued and especially in our part of the world, it is often overlooked. But I believe that can change with the upcoming generation. One true way to revive it is through early reading. For children, books are often their first window into worlds beyond their own. Through books, children don’t just learn to read, they learn to dream, to hope, and to grow.
In the spirit of Children’s Day, I urge parents and guardians not to limit the reading materials of their children to only school textbooks, but also story books. Whatever one wants to become, reading is important especially in terms of improving effective communication, enhancing their level of creativity and imagination, and also boosting their writing skills. I strongly believe when you stop reading, then you stop growing.