NEVER READ A BAD BOOK

Never, under any circumstances, read a bad book; and never spend a serious hour reading a second-rate book. No words can overstate the mischief of bad reading.

A bad book will often haunt one his whole life long. It is often remembered when much that is better is forgotten. It intrudes itself at the most solemn moments, and contaminates the best feelings and emotions. Reading trashy, second-rate books is a grievous waste of time also.

In the first place, there are a great many more first-rate- books than you can ever read or master; and in the second place, you cannot read an inferior book without giving up an opportunity of reading a good one.

Books, remember, are friends; books affect character. Therefore, read only good books.

FEWER and better books would be a good motto for parents and teachers to remember when selecting books for children to read.

A child’s taste for reading is generally formed early in life, much earlier often than many realize. And the taste formed in childhood generally remains unchanged for life.

How important, then, that only good, worthwhile books should be brought into the home and provided for the schoolroom and the public library for children to read!

A good book, like a good companion, is a wonderful factor in molding and shaping child life. Not infrequently it is a turning-point and a guiding star in a child’s life, for early impressions are deepest and most lasting.