Abuja: Mrs. Teresa Ameh, an accomplished author of children’s books, has urged parents to encourage a reading habit among their children. Ameh emphasized that fostering a reading culture would boost children’s confidence while interacting with others.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ameh made these remarks at the launch of her 9th and 10th books, “The Rise of the Phoenix” and “Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews,” in Abuja. Ameh, who also serves as a civil servant with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), highlighted that children who don’t develop a reading habit often grow into adults who struggle with reading. She noted that such adults might have difficulty expressing themselves in public due to their lack of reading practice.
Ameh, who has been writing for children for 20 years, expressed satisfaction with the improvements she has observed with each book she publishes. She aims to nurture children who can compete globally on any topic. As a psychologist by training, Ameh has a passion for writing for children to create a positive impact. She shared that storytelling was a nightly ritual with her son, and the stories were packed with lessons, prompting her to write for a broader audience.
In addition to her books, Ameh has initiated a reading foundation called ‘Aunty Talatu Reads Foundation’ to promote reading among children and empower the girl-child. Salamatu Sule, reviewing “Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews,” praised Ameh for her creativity and depth of understanding of storytelling. Sule identified three key lessons in the book: the mother as a friend, teacher, and mentor; everyday experiences as teachable moments; and the importance of friendship, trust, and emotional bonding.
Earlier, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI and the chairman of the occasion, commended Ameh for her creativity, asserting that “children are the leaders of today, not tomorrow.”