I have always been a fan of reading books. All types of books. At this stage of my life I can't even say that I have a favourite genre. I love to read. I enjoy where the book can take me, how it can challenge the very core of my existence and how it can inspire me. I have this same hope for my two-year-old son when I read to him and I look forward to him one day developing a similar love of books.

Books are an important tool in any classroom. Books can be used to assist students in developing skills that enable them to identify big ideas, to see relationships between ideas, and to apply understanding to new learning.

In Bermuda we are fortunate that we have some very interesting and creative writers who use their talents to help our children understand and explore our lovely island. One of these authors is Andrea Hassell. Anthony the Ant!, takes the reader on a complex but exciting journey as Anthony, the Ant, discovers that in order to achieve his goal (eating cherries with his friends) that he "has to have faith, remain focused and follow through with his goal". This book is great for teaching the simple life lesson of "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve" (Napoleon Hill).

Consider how a book provides questions for students to explore their own fears, challenges and struggles, and offers ways to overcome them and think about the consequences of not following through with their goals.

Careful instruction and appropriate literary sources, helps students to walk away with the understanding that, "Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance" (Samuel Johnson).