Great Uncle Fred, why does the world have books? (Sofia, aged five, Summer 2009)

This is a very good question to ask a book-loving old geezer who is trying to answer questions by way of this funny new thing called a computer. Well, this could not be a book because it is trying to be what is called "interactive". You ask me a question and I try to answer it. A book could not be interactive in the same way but books do answer your questions - it is just that sometimes you do not know what question you want to ask until your book answers it. To sit and read a book can be one of the best and most simple and most clever things that anyone can do. I do not think that any computer screen is as pleasant to read from as an ordinary book which can be so easily carried in your hand or your pocket and does not need to be plugged in and is not made of plastic. Sofia, books are lovely and they matter. I suppose that is why the world has books.

Print