Driven by his love for reading, especially storybooks, 10-year-old Osaivbie Izedonmwen, announced in February 2024 that he would read 200 books in one year.
The young bibliophile met his target precisely on December 18, 2024, when he read the last word of The Penguin Club, a book written by Achalugo Chioma Ilozumba.
Through his literary voyage, Osaivbie pore over diverse literatures including children’s storybooks, such as Enid Blyton’s The Secret Seven; and several of British author Roald Dahl’s books – such as his 1985 autobiography, Going Solo; Danny, the Champion of the World; The BFG; Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; and, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
This indeed broadened his knowledge and at the same time helped to shape his understanding of the world around him.
Beyond fiction, Osaivbie equally read educative books like Jude Idada’s book on on Sickle Cell Disease, Boom Boom; Cece Bell’s El Deafo; an account of how Bell coped with her deafness; Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore. One notable outcome from Osaivbie’s reading challenge is that he emerged to have better understanding of humanity.
Referencing Dick King-Smith’s book, My Animal Friends, Osaivbie emphasises how the story teaches valuable human traits like patience, respect, interacting with nature and caring for animals in the environment.
Indeed, children like Osaivbie are a breath of fresh air. Especially, in the present times of reducing reading culture and where children and the youth would rather spend their time on gadgets and behind televisions screens.
His focus from the outset is to promote reading, particularly, among the young ones. And, one of the ways he is inspiring others about his message is the challenge he had set for himself.
Right from early childhood, Osaivbie exhibited uncanny curiosity, showing attention in reading at only three years old. Not even Indian-born Charvi Dora, reputed as the “youngest person to read maximum number of books” has such a record as she only started reading at seven years old.
“I started reading at three years old,” Osaivbie says. “I read different books, and I can say that reading as a hobby has improved my knowledge and thinking. This is why I am encouraging other children to embrace reading too.”
It is noteworthy that Osaivbie equally reviewed the books on his Instagram page, which his mother Taiye Osayi-Izedonmwen manages on his behalf.
No doubt, he is a chip of the old block as his father, Osayi is the founder of Teesas Education, and a proponent of Franklin Covey’s “Leader in Me” program.
The wonder kid’s parents are excited about his chosen path, promising to give him more support.
“Charity begins at home. We cannot encourage other children to inculcate the Seven Habits of Happy Kids which teaches self-leadership without first teaching our children those principles. That Osaivbie read 200 books in one year is a testament that we practice what we preach,” Osayi said.
.Osaivbie’s sincerity of purpose is evident in his actions. Last April, after he started the reading challenge, he generously donated 100 books to children at a church in Lagos State.
Osaivbie’s story unarguably serves as a beacon of hope for a society where reading is increasingly becoming a lost art. His next challenge: to lead a global reading culture campaign.
Nation
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