THE GIFT OF READING A BOOK

This week, we celebrate Book Week; a national invitation to “Book an Adventure!” But beyond the costumes and colourful parades, this celebration is about something far more enduring: the sheer joy, wonder, and boundless possibility that reading brings into our lives.

Many of you know I’m a committed reader; not just of books on theology, leadership, and education, but also of high fantasy. I’ve long been captivated by stories that immerse me in worlds of magic, wonder, chaos, politics, heroism, mystery, betrayal, and redemption. Few authors do this better than Brandon Sanderson, whose Stormlight Archive series has given me more joy than any other books I’ve ever read.

Sanderson’s world-building is a masterclass in imagination: from the sweeping scope of the Cosmere, to the meticulous laws of each unique world, right down to the flawed, evolving, and deeply human characters who fight their demons - both literal and metaphorical. When the fifth book in the series, Wind and Truth, was released late last year, it brought to a close the first epic arc of this extraordinary tale. I’ve spent countless hours in phone calls and pub chats with family and friends debating, unpacking, analysing, and revering every corner of the narrative; from the major arcs to the hidden power in a single carefully chosen word.

That’s the magic of reading. It inspires curiosity, deep thinking, connection, and joy. It builds both worlds and relationships. And for our children, it is a gift beyond measure. Reading isn’t just something we do when our children are little and we’re trying to get them to sleep. It’s a lifelong adventure. Just like the experience we shared at our Readers Picnic on Monday, the simple act of reading with your child, whether they’re five or fifteen, lays the foundation for imagination, empathy, resilience, and lifelong learning.

So this Book Week, may we all continue to “Book an Adventure”, and may our children never stop wanting us to turn the page.

Mr Casimir Douglas

Tuesday 19th August