The month of April is often considered that dreadful “income tax month.” It does not matter whether you do your own taxes, have a friend or relative do them or use a professional tax preparer. 

But April also contains International Children’s Book Day. This is April 2, the birthday of Danish author Hans Christian Anderson. His famous fairy tales include “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Nightingale,” “The Snow Queen,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Little Match Girl.”     

The goal of International Children’s Book Day is to create and further in young people a love of reading. The day also highlights famous books for children.       

As a father and later as a grandfather I read to my children and grandchildren. My eldest granddaughter so enjoyed the made-up fairy tale that I told that she worked with me to reduce the tale to writing and have copies printed for all the grandchildren.

This was a wonderful experience for both my granddaughter and me. And the younger grandchildren were thrilled to have a printed copy of the fairy tale that I often told them as I put them to bed.

I am sure many of the readers of the newspaper have stories that they told children and grandchildren. Consider writing and printing copies of the stories for children and grandchildren. You will enjoy the experience of writing and they will enjoy the experience of reading.

If you need assistance the community college offers many adult courses on writing. I have taken several taught by very gifted writers. I have never taught a course on writing but after I got out of the state legislature I wrote and taught about the American political system and the dos and don’ts about running for political office.

The best of luck in getting your fairy tales reduced to writing for children and grandchildren.