And you, what are your childhood books and your children’s books? Émilie Tran Nguyen took part in the game for France TV & Vous, during the “Donate to read” operation. Offering a book to children and adolescents who have limited access to reading: this is the objective of this decisive event. 750 independent bookstores carry out the operation and join forces with Secours populaire, from October 17 to November 23.
22,000 books were donated last year thanks to the “Donate to read” operation. So many opportunities to encourage children who have little access to books to read, to give them a taste for imagination and the pleasure of discovering stories. Everyone has a unique relationship with reading, often shaped by memorable books from childhood. Culture Fans went to meet Émilie Tran Nguyen, the godmother of the “Donate to read” operation. She returns to this operation and its relationship to books.
A new book, when you open it, first there is the smell. I will always remember, even since I was little, to open — even school textbooks — and then first smell the book, touch the page.
Emilie Tran Nguyen
Culture Fans: What is the “Give it to read” operation?
Émilie Tran Nguyen: “Give it to read” is an operation carried out by independent booksellers, with volunteers from Secours populaire. This is an opportunity to make reading accessible to everyone. You go to a bookstore and buy an extra book, to be able to offer it to children who cannot afford new books.
A new book, when you open it, first there is the smell. For me, I will always remember, even since I was little, it is to open — even school textbooks — and then first smell the book, touch the page.
It is an object that can follow you throughout your life, which you can then pass on. It is one of the greatest gifts.
As a mother of two little ones, I know that reading is something essential for them, for their construction, for their imagination.
Emilie Tran Nguyen
Culture Fans:Why did you agree to be the godmother of this operation?
Émilie Tran Nguyen: It was obvious to participate in this operation, because reading is the escape. It is the possibility of dreaming, of building. It is truly the construction of the mind. It’s that richness. Because it’s true that, when we don’t have the financial means, obviously there are lots of things we lack that are essential; but what is also essential is this richness from within, this inner culture. As a mother of two little ones, I know that reading is something essential for them, for their construction, for their imagination.
The book is also the first laughs, laughs that I had with “Monsieur, Madame”, which I found again with great pleasure. These small, lightweight manuals can follow you depending on who you are, with little messages. I like to be like Madame Surprise. Yesterday I read Mr. No to my two-year-old son, since we are in a “no” period. And it was quite comical because Mr. No always answers “no”, like my son. Each time, it’s a personality trait, so you already learn something. “Mr. Lie”, what is lying?, that opens the conversation to that.
This gesture of going to a bookstore and being able to offer it to a child, I think it resonates for lots of people.
Emilie Tran Nguyen
The moments of laughter with my daughter, that’s what, for example, Cornebidouillethe witch Cornebidouille. It’s ten minutes at bedtime where I read this book to him. Hearing him laugh out loud before falling asleep is truly my little joy of the day. She and I both enjoy reading this book.
It’s a source of pride, I think, to be able to give new books to your children. So this gesture of going to a bookstore and being able to offer it to a child, I think it resonates with a lot of people. In any case, it’s great that we can keep this operation going and that more and more books are being bought and offered.
Find out more about “Give to read”, offer a book to a child or teenager who doesn’t have one.
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