There are a number of authors who have no doubt as to the necessity and importance of storytelling for children. In fact, various studies show that the earlier we start reading to our children, the more "brain food" they will have had by the time they start school at age five.

We will be sowing the seeds of reading especially when the "going gets tough" - and it does get tough! Among others, the promoters of storytelling for the young include Michael Morpurgo, who is the current Children's Laureate in the UK, Anne Fine, Children's Laureate prior to Mr Morpurgo, and our own Trevor Zahra, with whom I have had the pleasure of working to promote "reading as fun".

This is what Mr Morpurgo said in his opening speech when he was nominated as the Children's Laureate for 2003-2005: "So I shall tell my stories wherever I go, far and wide. I will talk and read and tell my tales to teachers, to parents, to children, to anyone who is interested. I will be telling them that for me a story is at the heart of great literature whoever it is for. Literature comes before literacy - and please let's call it the Literature Hour from now on, that would be a start".

I once had the opportunity to meet Professor Justine Cassell, an associate professor at MIT's Media Laboratory, where she studies the way technological tools can enhance communication such as through conversation and storytelling. She was in Malta in 2003 and as I shared some thoughts about storytelling her prompt reply was: "Tell parents to read to their children."

Storytelling is really a very important issue if we desire to raise a generation of readers. In fact, author Logan P. Smith once said that: "Only a generation of readers will span a generation of writers".

Here is what Ms Fine tells children who would like to become writers: "The advice of many of the best writers to children who want to be authors is, 'Don't worry about the writing yet, just read, read, read'".

Therefore, for me it is clear that the emphasis should be on "reading for pleasure" and not for study.

To this end, I have embarked on a simple project. The project, which is now a year old, has as its only objective that of inculcating in children the idea that reading is fun. St Francis School in Cospicua, with the approval and support of headmistress Sr Claudia, accepted my vision and sought to get it up and running.

There are around 15 mothers involved, who do storytelling to different classes. However, eight new mothers have accepted this commitment and will start storytelling training next month so that the complement will rise to over 20 mothers who are committed to the well-being of St Francis' School students. During training, these mothers learn about "big books'"and storytelling techniques.

It is important to point out that storytelling has been active before this project commenced but the project has brought together teachers, parents and students.

As an added flavour, Trevor Zahra was asked to share his expertise with the team and encourage the parents. I have to add that though Mr Zahra is a very active person he immediately accepted my invitation and I have only praise for this great author who is so approachable.

Mr Laferla is the librarian of St Francis School.