Matthew Flores is 12 years old, lives in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah. Unlike most teens his age, he prefers reading books than electronics. But because he has no books, and can't afford a bus ride to the library, he has taken on reading junk mail instead. He couldn't seem to have enough of it that he asked his local mailman, Ron Lynch, if he could spare some junk mail.
Lynch got curious, and asked questions. According to Huffington Post, then the story of the little boy was posted on his Facebook. When he told Flores he will help the boy get some books, the little one got excited. 'You should have seen him beam when I said I could help!' Lynch asked his Facebook friends if they could spare a book or two for this boy. He expected to raise at least 50 books. His post went viral, and surprised acts of kindness from strangers yielded hundreds of books, as far as coming from United Kingdom, Australia, even India. Some even personally went to Flores' home.
Flores wants to read each and every book, but plans to share them with other children, too. Asked why he liked books so much, he said it is fun and interesting, and makes him smarter. Seeing his hundreds of books and the kindness from strangers, he says, "I'm just super happy."
In this age of technology and electronics, reading books seems a long-gone practice. Decades ago, most children were required to read as a habit. Experts on 'Reading by Phonics' give top reasons why children should be encouraged to read. Reading expands a child's vocabulary. It also improves his reading fluency and comprehension. Reading early helps build independence and self-confidence. It enhances the imagination, taking the child to places he doesn't know. Reading improves writing skills.
