Editorial: Share gift of reading with all

Reading is truly 'a gift' as Literacy Bay of Plenty literacy manager Annamaria Grafas describes it. Photo / George Novak

If there is one standout piece of education advice that I hope my children - or any - take, it would be to read, read, and read.

I have my mother to thank for taking us to the Liverpool library every week where I would get out four books.

Reading is truly 'a gift' as Literacy Bay of Plenty literacy manager Annamaria Grafas describes it in our story in yesterday's paper about the Travelling Books initiative.

Under this initiative, today 200 free books will be given out to Bay readers provided they "share the love and pass it on".

People are encouraged to leave the books at different locations around the city once they have finished reading them.

The scheme, which is giving away 9000 titles nationwide, is intended to promote adult literacy.

Shockingly it's estimated almost half of New Zealanders do not have the required levels of literacy for the workplace and the Bay has been flagged as a high-need region.

Earlier in the week we reported that about one million people in New Zealand are affected by low literacy levels.

Sadly across the globe there are about 776 million adults who can't write their own name or read a line from a book. But it is never too late to develop a love of reading.

Last month I loved our story about how a near death experience after a triple bypass inspired a Tauranga man to learn to read - at 53.

He bravely shared his story to inspire others that there is no shame in seeking help.

Not being able to read properly can impact on people socially, economically and in the workplace.

Reaching out for help will not only improve lives on this level, but being able to read and doing so voraciously will open doors to new worlds.

Travelling Books is a great initiative by Literacy Bay of Plenty and Literacy Aotearoa. Bring on more initiatives like these to help spread one of life's richest pleasures.