I change children's lives by putting books in their hands and fostering a love for reading. How? I'm a consultant for Usborne Books & More - the direct-sales based division of the Educational Development Corporation.

I love books. My earliest memories involve books in some way or fashion.  My parents always had a book by their side. I would find my dad reading an engineering code book or standard, a book on fishing, or a politician's memoirs. I would see my mom reading a steamy romance novel, someone's autobiography, or a craft book filled with patterns, instructions and ideas. They would sit in bed together and read a book before settling in for the night.

My parents encouraged us to read, but they didn't just tell us to like books. They lead by example and in that way, they didn't just spark my love for books, they fanned the flame. Books, not soda and candy, were our reward for good grades. My mom took my brothers and me to the library weekly, and we participated in the reading programs. And of course, my mom read a book to us before bed. When she got to the end of one chapter, we'd beg her to continue, but she would always say, "Tomorrow night..." So we'd lie in bed imagining what would happen in the next chapter and how the book would end. I will forever treasure those nights and the time spent with my mom and my brothers in faraway lands and make-believe places.

I became an independent consultant for Usborne Books & More to spread the joy of reading as my parents had done with me. I am so excited to be a part of a company whose mission statement is:

The future of our world depends on the education of our children. Usborne Books & More delivers educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime.

Usborne Publishing Ltd. has no connection with these pages and does not sponsor or support their content.